Teaching Foreign Languages

Book excerpt: A useful handbook for anyone interested in how Waldorf schools teach foreign languages. At one level, the teaching and learning of foreign languages has its own set of skills and challenges for teacher and student. In Steiner-Waldorf schools, however, the guiding principle of language teaching is constant: to engage with all aspects of the student -- his or her experiences, personality and movement -- to help the student connect deeply with the foreign language. Erhard Dahl, an experienced language teacher, here offers a wealth of insight into how Steiner-Waldorf schools approach foreign language teaching, including English as a Foreign Language in non-English speaking countries. He shows clearly how pupils develop vocabulary and grammar, and learn to read in the foreign language. He explores the different approaches needed for Classes 1 to 4, where, for example, imitation can be used, to the older years, where speech becomes more individual and independent. He addresses common issues, such as questions from parents about the speed of their child's language acquisition, what to do about exams, and whether to use a textbook. This will be a useful handbook for anyone interested in how Waldorf schools undertake the teaching of foreign languages.