Principles and Practice of Materials Design for Young Learners
Introduction
The process of designing, producing and implementing various teaching materials for young language learners is challenging and exacting. Furthermore, the teaching materials should be accordingly evaluated and assessed prior to their confirmed application. The present paper implies a directed study concerned with designing and producing appropriate teaching materials for young learners and analytically representing various possible teaching practices in different teaching and learning situations.
Brief Description of the Investigation in Process
The present investigation advocates a concept of acquiring knowledge through the process of learning experience, which requires the activation of cognitive, functional and social skills. Thus, considerable attention is given to the conceptual and psychological development of the target audience represented by young learners and realization of importance of contextual learning. Furthermore, the investigation emphasizes importance of correspondence between the general aims and objectives of the class and specific methods and materials used in the process of teaching. These factors are consequently intended to contribute to the development of positive attitudes towards language learning, increasing the learners’ motivation and enriching their learning experience. Thus, the main criteria for assessing and evaluating young learners’ materials includes the coherence of teaching purpose, content implied within the learning materials, their visual characteristics and language learning potential. Effectual young learners’ materials should be accessible and relevant for the target audience, encourage the learners’ active participation in the learning process, arouse their curiosity, draw on their personal experiences, have high potential to work with and contribute to the overall development of the learners’ skills and language practice. These are among the main focus points for the principles and practice of materials design for young learners.
Conclusion
One of the core objectives of the present paper is appropriating eligible criteria for evaluating and assessing teaching materials for young learners. The paper introduces a critical inspection of the most efficacious instruments and procedures for evaluating materials design for young learners and an investigation of the relationship between theoretical and practical approaches to the design and application of these materials.
