Jennifer Bishop (LOTE Teacher)
The EKPAROLI project which we undertook at Monash University showed that not only was it possible for non-specialist elementary teachers to teach Esperanto, but that their students quickly learnt the basic elements of the language. Moreover it was striking how much better their attitudes were to learning a language compared to those students who had been struggling with other languages. The secondary schools to which they went were greatly impressed with their positive attitudes.
There is every reason for governments, primary school principals and teachers, and parents to look very seriously at these results which show the potential benefits to the students of early Esperanto study in the primary school. The choice of that first LOTE is crucial as the majority of primary school leavers will progress to a secondary school which will be teaching a different LOTE from the one they studied in primary school.
Thus one should be choosing a first LOTE
There is every reason for governments, primary school principals and teachers, and parents to look very seriously at these results which show the potential benefits to the students of early Esperanto study in the primary school. The choice of that first LOTE is crucial as the majority of primary school leavers will progress to a secondary school which will be teaching a different LOTE from the one they studied in primary school.
Thus one should be choosing a first LOTE
- in which the children will gain early success
- which they will enjoy learning
- which will show them how important LOTE study is
- and which will prepare them successfully for later LOTE study
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