The application of English Digraphs’ learning through ICTs in a Catalan Context

Abstract

The present study is based on how the learning of diphthongs and its pronunciation in English, through the ICTs, can be applied in a Catalan context, in Early Years. In order to do so, an English school’s methodology, specifically a classroom of Reception stage (5 years of age), has been observed and analysed, and considering language and age barriers, an adaptation has been applied in the 1st grade of Primary Education (6 years of age) in Catalonia. Thereby, digital resources applied in the mentioned school in England have been adapted to fit into the English level of Catalan students. Otherwise, an introduction to this phonetic aspect of the English language has been implemented, as it does not appear explicitly in the Curriculum, but is important to progress in foreign language learning.The present study is based on how the learning of diphthongs and its pronunciation in English, through the ICTs, can be applied in a Catalan context, in Early Years. In order to do so, an English school’s methodology, specifically a classroom of Reception stage (5 years of age), has been observed and analysed, and considering language and age barriers, an adaptation has been applied in the 1st grade of Primary Education (6 years of age) in Catalonia. Thereby, digital resources applied in the mentioned school in England have been adapted to fit into the English level of Catalan students. Otherwise, an introduction to this phonetic aspect of the English language has been implemented, as it does not appear explicitly in the Curriculum, but is important to progress in foreign language learning.

Aquest estudi es basa en com l'aprenentatge de diptongs i la seva pronúncia en Anglès, a traves de les TIC, es pot aplicar en un context català, a Educació Infantil. Per a dur-ho a terme, s'ha observat i analitzat la metodologia d'una aula de Reception (5 anys), d'una escola anglesa i, considerant les barreres de l'edat i de la llengua, s'ha aplicat una adaptació al 1r curs d'Educació Primària (6 anys) a Catalunya. D'aquesta manera, els recursos digitals aplicats en una escola d'Anglaterra han sigut adaptats per a encaixar en el nivell d'anglès dels estudiants catalans. Per altra banda, s’ha introduït aquest aspecte de la llengua anglesa, ja que no apareix explícitament al Currículum, però és important per a progressar en l'aprenentatge d'una llengua estrangera.