Abstract

In recent years, teaching English in English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom to young learners (YLs) of primary school through English picture books bears many prospects for an effective and meaningful language instruction as English picture books can help to contextualize the new language providing audiovisual input along with the story narration. In this study, the value of picture-book instruction on English learning for YLs is to be investigated. The potential role of using such an approach in EFL classroom is assessed in terms of the improvement of YLs’ English level and cognitive competence. Four tests have been done in the form of reading, reciting, role playing as well as public speaking in order to figure out the value of English picture books. Some implications can be drawn from the outcome of the study to English language teaching and learning, and thus offer teachers and parents a new choice of English teaching method.

Keywords: English picture books; picture-book instruction; young learners (YLs); English as a foreign language (EFL)

Contents

Abstract

摘  要

1. Introduction-1

2. Literature Review-2

2.1 Theories Related to the Picture-Book Instruction-2

2.1.1 The Definitions of Picture Book-2

2.1.2 The Value of the Stories-2

2.1.3 The Value of the Pictures-2

2.1.4 The Value of the Picture Book-3

2.2 Knowledge about the General Characteristics of YLs-3

2.3 Relevant Studies Abroad and At Home-5

3. Methodology-7

3.1 Subjects-7

3.2 Instruments-7

3.3 Teaching Procedures-7

4. Data and Discussions-9

4.1 The First Test---Reading-9

4.2 The Second Test---Reciting-9

4.3 The Third Test---Role Playing-10

4.4 The Fourth Test---Public Speaking-11

4.5 The Comparison of Student A, B, C-12

5. Conclusions-14

5.1 Findings-14

5.2 Taching Implications-14

5.3 Limitations-14

References-16