English for little explorers: two textbook units for pre A1 starters

Abstract

I am currently enrolled in the CEI (Curso de Especialização em Ensino de Inglês) offered by the Faculdade de Letras at UFMG, with the aim of enhancing my skills as an English teacher and supporting my colleagues in their pedagogical practices. This specialized course has significantly expanded my knowledge of diverse teaching methodologies and their application to address the specific needs of various student groups. A key takeaway from the program is the understanding that educators' choices play a pivotal role in shaping students' learning outcomes, and fostering communicative competence should be a central focus in English language teaching. The motivation to create the units for English for Little Explorers stems from my experience working with ―Anos Iniciais‖ students in a public school setting, where teachers lack textbooks and other support materials provided by the municipality. This resource was designed with the objective of making English classes enjoyable and fostering a lifelong passion for learning among students. The material integrates engaging and interactive approaches to learning, while also promoting a forward-looking perspective on the teachinglearning process. The ultimate aim is to provide students with meaningful, high-quality learning experiences today, setting a strong foundation for their academic and personal growth in the future. The English for Little Explorers material was developed to support English language learning for first-year elementary school students, aged six, in public school settings where resources like textbooks are often unavailable. Rooted in a communicative approach and aligned with the Pre A1 Starters level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), this material emphasizes listening, speaking, and reading skills, recognizing that students are still developing literacy in their mother tongue. Guided by the principle that language learning should be meaningful, engaging, and contextually relevant, the units integrate real-life scenarios to foster both linguistic competence and social-emotional development. Inspired by Professor Junia2‘s1 assertion, - If people do it in their real life, go ahead with your lesson plan,‖ the activities connect language use to everyday experiences, making English learning playful and accessible. The first unit, Back to School, introduces vocabulary related to school supplies while fostering teamwork, responsibility, and respect. The second unit, Look at My Face, focuses on facial features and shapes, promoting self-acceptance, empathy, and diversity. Both units employ interactive methods, including songs, games, and discussions, to nurture communicative competence and values like inclusion and respect. The material follows a structured format that includes warm-up activities, listening and reading exercises, grammar exploration, pronunciation practice, speaking tasks, and creative expression through drawing. A Learning Strategy component encourages reflection and goalsetting, while a Check Your Progress section consolidates learning. Developed for educational purposes, this material seeks to make English classes enjoyable and meaningful, fostering a love for learning and a foundation for future growth. It is not intended for commercial use, and reproduction is prohibited without the author‘s consent.