English studies for children: what is learned in the education system and what is not?

English Learning for Children in Elementary School Grades 1-6

According to the Ministry of Education curriculum, third grade is the first year when children begin to learn English. However, about half of elementary schools start English language learning already in first or second grade. The first year of English language learning is of great importance for the development of children’s language skills. At the beginning of their English language learning journey, children focus on developing listening and speaking skills with a foundation of reading and writing.

Some of the topics covered include:

• Recognition of English letters – lowercase and uppercase
• First words
• Initial writing
• Short and long vowels
• Nouns and proper nouns
• Pronouns and person and possession
• Adjectives and descriptions
• Reading
• Tenses and more

After establishing a basic vocabulary and familiarity with the alphabet, towards sixth grade, children begin to delve deeper into grammar.

English Learning for Children in Grade 7

With the transition to middle school, English learning in seventh grade takes a step up. Students delve into the differences between the various tenses – present simple, present progressive, past simple, past progressive, future, and imperative. In addition, the curriculum includes parts of speech: nouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, pronouns and more. The requirements for writing and reading comprehension also increase in level.

English Learning for Children in Grades 8-9

In grades 8-9, the study of tenses is expanded to include the perfect tense, the passive voice, and conditional sentences. Students advance with writing and reading comprehension with expressing opinions, formal letters and various descriptions. At this stage, there is an emphasis on linking words, idioms, more complex texts, developing oral expression skills and more.

English Learning for Children in Grade 10

When students reach high school, English language learning takes another leap forward. In fact, from tenth grade onwards, English language learning is geared towards the matriculation exams that take place in grades 11-12. The grammar chapters delve deeper with an emphasis on comparison and compliment sentences, prefixes and suffixes, prepositions and quantity and more. In addition, a new topic that receives attention is writing an essay in English in preparation for the matriculation exams.

English Learning for Children in Grades 11-12

In grades 11-12, English language learning is focused on preparing for the matriculation exams. The matriculation exam is held at three levels of study: 3 units, 4 units and 5 units, each of which includes three matriculation exams. At this stage, students are required to know a large vocabulary, advanced grammar, how to solve unseen texts, how to write an essay, and more.

Why is it important to invest in English at home as well?

Although the education system emphasizes English language learning, the curriculum is far from perfect. We already understand that the traditional teaching method of 30 students in a classroom facing a lecture by a teacher is not suitable for everyone. In practice, there are two common situations that affect learning in school:

• The student progresses through the material quickly relative to the class, and as a result gets bored, loses concentration and loses motivation to learn English.
• The student lags behind in the material relative to the class, and as a result becomes frustrated, feels a sense of failure and loses motivation to learn English.

At every stage of English language learning, from first grade to matriculation, it is recommended to accompany the student with practice and learning at home. When the child is at home, the material can be adapted to their personal level and interests. The student can progress at their own pace, learn efficiently and as a result their self-confidence in English will grow. Today, self-learning does not have to include workbooks and books, but innovative solutions such as English learning apps. With innovative teaching methods, it is possible to support the student’s English language learning and make the learning experience enjoyable and positive.