Bilingual education: A bath in the language
The childcare center "Kleine Wolkenstürmer" uses the immersion method and benefits from cooperation with English universities.
"Can I have the ball?" "Yes, sure". Such dialogs are not uncommon at the Bonn-based childcare center "Kleine Wolkenstürmer". The childcare center works according to the so-called immersion principle - "to immerse" means to plunge into, in this case, a language bath. In each of the 15 groups, there are English speakers who communicate with the children exclusively in English. In this way, the children grow up with the second language as a matter of course. For team members and parents too, both languages are a natural part of everyday life at childcare center.
English Speaker Daniela Perreira is delighted with the success of the method: "The result is remarkable! Even after a short time, there is no difference in the child's interaction with the German-speaking or English-speaking staff. The parents can also testify to this. For me, this is the best sign that this is the most successful method of learning a second language."
Cooperation with British universities
In order to find English-speaking staff with a sound pedagogical education, the Kleine Wolkenstürmer work together with various universities in the UK that offer courses in childhood education.
Since August 2016, two teachers from England have joined the team thanks to this collaboration. They are spending a year with the Little Cloud Stormers, gaining work experience in the multicultural environment of childcare center and learning about alternative educational approaches such as Pikler education and animal-assisted education.
They are supported by Linda Mentner, coordinator of bilingual work at the facility. She assists the English team members with their induction, translation requests, but also with settling into their new city and culture.
Everyone involved benefits
Linda Mentner is very positive about this cooperation: "The collaboration with the universities has great potential for the future because everyone involved benefits from it: In the UK, both course leaders and students are very interested in the childcare center concept of the pme Familienservice and are enthusiastic about the prospect of graduates from the courses expanding their practical experience with us, getting to know a foreign country and being well looked after in the process. Our children, who are used to speaking English, are delighted to have the opportunity to put their English skills to the test and are increasingly answering the English speakers in English. This is a great success for us! The German-speaking team members also find working with the English speakers enriching and appreciate the new input they bring to the groups (e.g. new songs and games). Due to the great demand for opportunities to spend time abroad with financial security on the one hand and our need for English-speaking specialists on the other, another pme facility in Frankfurt is now also participating in our project."
The English teachers are also very enthusiastic about the new impulses and the support from the pme Familienservice:
"The Piklerapproach is very different from what I am used to in England. I quickly realized how independent the children are here (...). I have been able to experience first-hand how the approach is used totion to encourage the children's independence; from portioning their own lunch to assessing their own risk in play."
Laura Dugdale from Northampton
"I am so grateful to have taken this wonderful opportunity where I have met so many great people.e were able to meet so many great people. A great experience!"
Yasmin Mohamed from London
Video: English Speakers in Kindergartens
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