Zoom login: Meeting ID: 822 0641 0424
Passcode: suwon423
Topic: “Young English Language Learners: Key Considerations for Their Optimal Development in the South Korean Setting”
Details:
The Suwon-Gyeonggi KOTESOL chapter’s April workshop will be held on Zoom and features one speaker, Dr. George Whitehead, presenting “Young English Language Learners: Key Considerations for Their Optimal Development in the South Korean Setting.” Workshop attendees are asked to keep their cameras on and a microphone ready so as to facilitate a lively workshop.
Questions or comments may be directed to the Suwon-Gyeonggi KOTESOL chapter president Tyler Clark at suwon@koreatesol.org.
Abstract:
“Young English Language Learners: Key Considerations for Their Optimal Development in the South Korean Setting”
Young English language learners (YELLs)—those before the age of 10— are developing in many ways (e.g., physically, emotionally, socially, cognitively, and linguistically) at a rather rapid rate. In the field of English language education, there has been a large amount of discussion about when children should begin learning a second language, how they should learn a second language (e.g., studying at home with parents, studying abroad, sending them to a private English academy) and how to tell whether the education they are receiving is helping or hindering their overall development of the language. This workshop will guide attendees through a series of key considerations in approaching YELLs’ English language development in South Korea. Throughout the workshop, attendees will be placed into breakout rooms to share their thoughts and opinions on various key questions related to YELLs’ development. Attendees will also apply what they have learned through situational application tasks in which they are placed in a position in which they must give advice to a friend, colleague, or parent based on the key considerations covered in this workshop. Through this workshop, attendees will increase their knowledge and understanding of how to approach YELLs and foster their ability to knowledgeably advise others on key factors they need to consider when they approach the development of YELLs.
Speaker Bio:
Dr. George E. K. Whitehead currently works as an assistant professor in the Graduate School of TESOL at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Whitehead has held professional positions in Canada, Japan, and Korea as a language instructor, curriculum developer, teacher-educator, assistant professor, and director of university TESOL programs. His main research interests include language teacher education and development, language teacher leadership, critical second language pedagogy, and the development of context-specific language teaching and learning practices. His published work has appeared in various top journals in the field such as TESOL Quarterly, Modern Language Journal, Language Teaching Research, and System.
