Learning Through English Language in Early Childhood Education: A Case of English Medium Schools in China

Abstract

In China the English medium schools are now mushrooming and many parents send their children at very early age. These schools enroll children of pre-school to school age to learn through English as foreign language regardless of their proficiency in the first language. Therefore the study aims at examining the learning English language as a foreign language in English medium schools (EMS) in China. Specifically the study intended: to identify reasons for parents sending their children in English medium school at early age; and to identify challenges facing parents sending their children to English medium schools. The study used qualitative approach. Random and purposeful sampling were used in getting sample for the study, the sampled size was 4 parents. The parents/guardians were interviewed in data collection. Results showed that majority of the parents sent  their children to English Medium schools (EMS) for future mobility of their children in education sector which  leads to economic sector , Happiness and better child care. On other hand of lack  teacher  competence in English language being a major challenge   followed by  the afraid of the children to foreign teachers, lack of conducive environment for English language practice time and cost. The government should give more consideration on training Chinese early childhood English teachers for their English medium schools.

Keywords: English Language, Early Childhood, English Medium School, Learning Language.