The purpose of this study is to suggest an alternative direction in the teaching of primary school level English literacy with reading-writing connection through English poetry.
To accomplish the objectives, the following research questions were prop...
The purpose of this study is to suggest an alternative direction in the teaching of primary school level English literacy with reading-writing connection through English poetry.
To accomplish the objectives, the following research questions were proposed:
1) What happened to the condition of student's writing through reading English poetry for children?
2) How did the activities based on reading-writing connection through English poetry for children influence on student's English-learning experience?
Poems written by students through reading-writing connection based on children's English poetry, teacher's field notes, questionnaires and interviews were major sources for qualitative data collection and analysis.
Data analysis revealed the following results.
Firs of all, students experienced various kinds of poetry through activities based on English poetry for children and exercised their writing with poetic elements. They gradually spread out creative writing with their own ideas from imitating English poetry. In other words, first, they understood expanding meanings with visual supplementary unit and could write concrete poems. Second, students wrote with figurative images like simile or metaphor, and stretched big imagination. Third, they recognized end rhyme and alliteration, and understood English syllable structure different from Korean. Fourth, they showed authentic writing related to their lives using dramatic poems.
Next, they showed positive changes in their tendency and attitude towards English learning after activities through reading-writing connection based on English poetry. More specifically, firstly, students tried to write their own poems by using various writing strategies, and showed creative writing through various literacy experiences. Secondly, they were eager to read and write poems connected with their lives, experiences and interests. Thirdly, students showed interests in sharing their own writing with others and developed their writing in depth. Lastly, they showed confidence and satisfaction on reading and writing English, and had higher accomplishment in themes, forms and vocabularies.
Based upon the result of the study, suggestions are as follows:
First, there should be changes from conservative concept about English poetry to poetic texts utilized for language learning.
Second, teachers need to recognize children's English poetry can be used for learning material in primary English education, and develop various methods to apply English poetry.
Third, it is suggested to give more literacy input focused on cognitive development level of elementary students through reading and writing English poetry, and expand opportunities to read and write.
Fourth, there should be more research on selection and supplement of appropriate poetry materials according to aim of English education, educational situation and students' English level.
At last there should be furnished a diversity of English poetry for children at libraries in primary schools.