The basics of any language are set in a person right from childhood. The daily usage of the language and the immediate environment too affect the language learning of a child. A child in class 1 will easily grasp the basics of the language through grammar, literature, composition, and other measures if taught through interesting and engaging activities. Once a student develops an interest in the subject, it is easier to improve the language correctness in usage.
English is one of the most prominent languages spoken globally. Hence, it is taught right from the beginning (kindergarten) to strengthen the base. Starting from the alphabets to words and then to sentences, then gradually the parts of speech and other intricacies are introduced. So, the lower classes are the most essential in forming a correct and strong base of the language with the help of English reading books. Hence, class 1 turns out to be the propagator of the foundation laying process in teaching English.
- Books
The best and the most conventional method of improving English in class 1 will be NCERT Book Class 1 English. The NCERT textbooks are very simple in language and are written to the point. Hence, teaching English to class 1 students through the NCERT textbook will be beneficial. Both, the grammar as well as the literature textbook are designed pedagogically to suit the abilities of a class 1 learner. The concepts are explained in simple language and with identifiable examples. The literature short stories and poems also inculcate life lessons, besides improving the imagining ability in English. Hence, beginning with these pivotal texts will open up further roadmaps for improvement. The grammar textbook contains all the basic grammar features, to begin with, and the exercises at the end of each topic are designed to reinforce the concept easily.
- Reading
Reading is a habit that should be inculcated in a student from a very early age. It not only improves the understanding of the language but also increases the creative abilities of the student. Reading can play an important role in improving the English of class 1 students. It can be posed as a fun activity in a classroom setting, hence engaging every student in it. Positive reinforcement for completion of the activity will prove to be a great motivator for the students. Reading out words, then sentences and then short paragraphs will also help students in understanding the formation of sentences and then paragraphs in the English language.
- Listening
At the class 1 level, students’ sensory perceptions are highly active, and hence listening as an activity will fasten the improvement in English. Instead of reading out, when students listen to a story in English, the understanding of correct pronunciation, the tonal changes, and the correct usage of punctuation pauses can easily be delivered through this activity. Thus, listening will initiate the correct speaking skills in the students. Since the students are still well versed with nursery rhymes, so using them will gain more attention from the students.
- Vocabulary building
Since class 1 is just the beginner level, so it is a good time to start with increasing the vocabulary of the students. Through the listening and the reading activities, students can build up their vocabulary of new words and further group discussion will enable them to share and expand their vocabulary knowledge. Visual words and examples will interest the students more and attaching an example to the new word will help the students retain the word, its meaning, and its usage for a long time.
- Games and quizzes
Students of class 1 are more attracted to learning through doing. Hence, simply teaching new things won’t suffice their needs. So, phonic games and quizzes will ease this task while also delivering the teaching objective to the student.
For example, teaching names of farm animals through a nursery rhyme will prove to be more beneficial and result-yielding than simply showing them animals through charts and figures.
- Worksheets and Assignments
Although worksheets and assignments are a very conventional form of teaching and might not prove to be effective a lot, the exercises given at the end of the NCERT class 1 textbooks can prove to be helpful if they are dealt with innovatively. Classroom discussion and involving active participation from the students in the class will lead the students to generate interest in solving the home assignments on their own.
For example, the exercises at the end of the chapter ‘Article’ can be discussed in the classroom, and then home assignments based on that can be given for the students to solve themselves.
- Support material for the teachers
As much as the improvement of class 1 English students depends on the teacher, it also is dependent on the correct support material provided to the teacher. The NCERT books for class 1 are crucial in this case as they not only include activity-based exercises but also have valuable and helpful supporting teaching material for the teacher. Hence, the teaching-learning process is eased a bit and improvements can be seen.
Improving class 1 English is thus, not a very tough task. As the minds of the students are very impressionable and the thinking capacity highly active, it is easier to ignite the improvement through various activities and engaging tasks. Through the above-mentioned tasks and the collaborative efforts of the student and the teacher, improving English for class 1 students will not be a hard nut to crack. Keeping in mind the active and sometimes hyperactive brains of the class 1 students, with fun mixed and innovative activities, the goal of improving English will not remain a distant dream. This base will only propel the future endeavors of the students in having a complete command and mastery over the most sought-after language globally. Improving class 1 English is therefore way easier a task than helping and guiding a senior secondary student in understanding the basics of the language.
