Abstract
One of the major challenges for pre-primary EFL instruction is the provision of a sufficient amount of appropriate input. Learning at these early stages takes place in a playful and experiential way that includes games, songs, rhymes, stories, colouring and drawing, arts, crafts and projects. Recent developments in early language settings consider CLIL an ideal approach for learning both language and content. Within this framework, audio-visual materials and resources are undoubtedly essential tools. Ranging from picture books and story sacks to computers, tablets, whiteboards and TV, audio-visual materials can serve as useful tools offering ample visual stimuli in the integration of content and language in the preschool context and offer huge potential for L2 language learning (Milton J, Garbi A, Educ Technol Soc 3:286–292, 2000). Animated television series and cartoons are a promising source of such input and a stimulus for classroom interaction. These can be suitable both linguistically but also cognitively for children. Moreover, cartoons offer a naturalistic and implicit exposure to relatively authentic language (Alexiou, 2015). This chapter will focus on different forms of using and utilizing cartoons and other audio-visuals as a way of complimenting a CLIL approach in preschool education in the hope to unveil all the potential and multi-dimensions this framework may offer.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adams, C. A., & Thompson, T. L. (2011). Interviewing objects: Including educational technologies as qualitative research participants. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 24(6), 733–750.
Alexiou, T. (2015). Vocabulary uptake from Peppa pig: A case study of preschool EFL learners in Greece. In C. Gitsaki & T. Alexiou (Eds.), Current issues in second/foreign language teaching and teacher development: Research and practice (pp. 285–301). Newcastle upon Tyne.
Alexiou, T., & Chondrogianni, M. (2017). Bringing innovation to the primary EFL classroom: Total physical response with twister and Wii-fit. In Proceedings of the 3rd international convention of promoting educational innovation. Greece.
Alexiou, T., & Kokla, N. (2018a). Cartoons that make a difference: A linguistic analysis of Peppa pig. Journal of Linguistics and Education Research, 1(1), 24–30.
Alexiou, T., & Kokla, N. (2018b). iPads. In 5th international conference ‘crossroads of languages and cultures’: Rethimno, 1st -3rd June 2018.
Alexiou, T., & Kokla, N. (2019). Teaching cultural elements and pro-social behaviour to preschoolers through Peppa Pig. In I. Tsichouridis et al. (Eds.), Conference proceedings from the 4th international conference for the promotion of educational innovation (pp. 299–305). Larisa.
Alexiou, T., & Konstantakis, N. (2009). Lexis for young learners: Are we heading for frequency or just common sense? In Selected papers from the 18th international symposium on theoretical and applied linguistics (ISTAL) (pp. 59–66). Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of English.
Alexiou, T., Roghani, S., & Milton, J. (2019). Assessing the vocabulary knowledge of preschool language learners. In D. Prosic-Sandovac & S. Rixon (Eds.), Integrating assessment into early language learning and teaching practice (pp. 207–220). Multilingual Matters.
Alexiou, T., & Vitoulis, M. (2014). iGeneration issues: Tracing preschoolers English receptive and productive vocabulary though interactive media. Mission impossible? In J. Enever, E. Lindren, & S. Ivanov (Eds.), Conference proceedings from early language learning: Theory and practice (pp. 16–22). Umeå University.
Alexiou, T., & Yfouli, D. (2019). Charlie & Lola: An innovative way of promoting young learners’ lexical development. In Proceedings of the 4th international conference for the promotion of educational innovation. University of Thessaly.
Alexiou, T., Zapounidis, T., & Kostopoulou, I. (2015). In quest of the magic element in preschoolers’ vocabulary reception. International research conference: Issues of multilingualism in early childhood education: Zero to six. Rome.
Alexiou, T. (2020). Introducing EFL in preschools: Facts and Fictions. In W. Zoghbor, & T. Alexiou (Eds.), Advancing English Language Education (pp. 61–74). Dubai, UAE: Zayed University publications. https://www.zu.ac.ae/main/en/research/publications/_books_reports/2020/AELE_Book_ALLT_Z U_Web_V02.pdf
Andúgar, A., & Cortina-Pérez, B. (2018). EFL teachers’ reflections on their teaching practice in Spanish preschools: A focus on motivation. In A. Kirkpatrick (Ed.), Preschool bilingual education: Agency in interactions between children, teachers, and parents (p. 227). Springer International Publishing.
Ball, S., & Bogatz, G. (1970). The first year of Sesame Street: An evaluation. Educational Testing Service.
Barron, I., & Powell, J. (2003). Story sacks, children’s narratives and the social construction of reality. Citizenship, Social and Economics Education, 5(3), 129–137.
Biemiller, A., & Slonim, N. (2001). Estimating root word vocabulary growth in normative and advantaged populations: Evidence for a common sequence of vocabulary acquisition. Journal of Educational Psychology, 93, 498–520.
Bird, S. A., & Williams, J. N. (2002). The effect of bimodal input on implicit and explicit memory: An investigation into the benefits of within-language subtitling. Applied psycholinguistics, 23(4), 509–533.
Bland, J. (2013). Children’s literature and learner empowerment. Bloomsbury Academic.
California Department of Education. (2000). Prekindergarten learning and development guidelines. Child Development Division.
Canning-Wilson, C. (2001). Visuals and language learning: Is there a connection? The Weekly Column, 48. Retrieved from https://es.scribd.com/document/343256994/Article-48-Visuals-Language-Learning-is-There-a-Connection-by-Christine-Canning-Wilson
Cascales, A., Pérez-López, D., & Contero, M. (2013). Study on parent’s acceptance of the augmented reality use for preschool education. Procedia Computer Science, 25, 420–427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2013.11.053
Castro, P. A. (2016). Using Disney movies in the CLIL framework: An innovative proposal based on frozen. Unpublished MA Thesis. Universidad de Oviedo.
Copely, J. V. (Ed.). (1999). Mathematics in the early years. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics/NAEYC.
Cortina-Pérez, B., & Pino Rodríguez, A.M. (2021). Analysing CLIL teacher competences in pre-service preschool education. A case study at the University of Granada, European Journal of Teacher Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2021.1890021
Coyle, D. (2002). Relevance of CLIL to the European Commission’s language learning objectives. In D. Marsh (Ed.), CLIL/EMILE the European dimension (pp. 27–28). University of Jyvaskyla.
Coyle, D. (2009). Language pedagogies revisited: Alternative approaches for integrating language learning, language using and intercultural understanding. In J. Miller, A. Kostogriz, & M. Gearon (Eds.), Culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms: New dilemmas for teachers (pp. 172–195). Multilingual Matters.
Coyle, D., Hood, P., & Marsh, D. (2010). CLIL: Content and language integrated learning. Cambridge University Press.
Dąbrowska, E. (2004). Language, mind and brain: Some psychological and neurological constraints on theories of grammar. Edinburgh University Press.
Dodge, D. T. (2004). Early childhood curriculum models. Child Care Information Exchange, Jan./Feb, 71–78.
Dünser, A., & Hornecker, E. (2007). An observational study of children interacting with an augmented story book. In Proceedings of 2nd international conference of E-learning and games (edutainment 2007) (pp. 305–315). CUHK. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73011-8_31
Eady, M. J., & Lockyer, L. (2013). Tools for learning: Technology and teaching strategies: Learning to teach in the primary school (pp. 71–89). Queensland University of Technology. https://scholars.uow.edu.au/display/publication76376
Espinosa, L. (2010). Children of 2020: Creating a better tomorrow bilingual and monolingual. In V. Washington & J. D. Andrews (Eds.), The importance of language and literacy development for all children (pp. 73–80). Children of.
Evans, V., & Green, M. (2006). Cognitive linguistics: An introduction. Oxford University Press.
Eyikara, E., & Baykara, G. Z. (2017). The importance of simulation in nursing education. World Journal on Educational Technology: Current Issues, 9(1), 02–07. https://doi.org/10.18844/wjet.v9i1.543
Fernández, A. F. (2014). Receptive vocabulary knowledge and motivation in CLIL and EFL. Revista de Lingüística y Lenguas Aplicadas, 9, 23–32.
Galés, N. L., & Vives, I. P. (2013). Report and evaluation of the development of CLIL programmes in Catalonia. Temps d’Educació, 45, 143–180.
Garrison, M. M., & Christakis, D. A. (2005). A teacher in the living room? Educational media for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Kaiser Family Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.kff.org/entmedia/7427.cfm
Ghorbani, M. R. (2011). Watching cartoons with subtitles improves children’s foreign language acquisition. US–China Foreign Language, 9(4), 241–246.
Halliwell, S. (1992). Teaching English in the primary classroom. Longman.
Hinske, S., Langheinrich, M., & Lampe, M. (2008). Towards guidelines for designing augmented toy environments. In Proceedings of the 7th ACM conference on designing interactive systems - DIS ‘08 (pp. 78–87). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/1394445.1394454
Huang, D. F. (2015). Exploring and assessing effectiveness of English medium instruction courses: The students’ perspectives. Procedia –Social and Behavioural Sciences, 173, 71–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.02.033
Hughes, A. (2006). The “why”, “what” and “how” of using authentic picture books and stories in the EYL classroom: Some practical considerations. In J. Enever & G. Schmid-Schönbein (Eds.), Picture books and young learners of English (pp. 151–164). Langenscheidt.
Ibili, E. (2013). Geometri dersi için artirilmiş gerçeklik materyallerinin geliştirilmesi, uygulanmasi ve etkisinin değerlendirilmesi [Development, implementation and assessment of the effect of augmented reality on geometry teaching materials for geometry classes]. (Unpublished PhD Thesis). Gazi Üniversity, Educational Science Institute.
Ioannou-Georgiou, S. (2011). Transition into CLIL: Guidelines for the beginning stages of CLIL. In S. Ioannou-Georgiou & P. Pavlou (Eds.), Guidelines for CLIL implementation in primary and pre-primary education (pp. 43–49). University of Cyprus Press.
Kagan, S. L., Scott-Little, C., & Frelow, V. S. (2003). Early learning standards for young children: A survey of the states. Young Children, 58(5), 58–64.
Kara, N., Aydin, C. C., & Cagiltay, K. (2012). Design and development of a smart storytelling toy. Interactive Learning Environment, 22(3), 288–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2011.649767
Karasimos, A. (2021). #LetMeepleTalk1: Using board games for EFL pre-schoolers. Research Papers in Language Teaching and Learning, 11(1), 93–103.
Kiely, R. (2011). CLIL – History and background. In S. Ioannou-Georgiou & P. Pavlou (Eds.), Guidelines for CLIL implementation in primary and pre-primary education (pp. 21–33). University of Cyprus Press.
Krcmar, M., Bernard, G., & Lin, K. (2007). Can toddlers learn vocabulary from television? An experimental approach. Media Psychology, 10(1), 41–63.
Kress, G. (2003). Literacy in the new media age. Routledge.
Lampe, M., & Hinske, S. (2007). Integrating interactive learning experiences into augmented toy environments. In Pervasive Learning Workshop at the Pervasive Conference, May (pp. 13–16).
Lekkai, I. (2014). Incidental foreign language acquisition by children watching subtitled television programs. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology 13(4), 81–87.
Lewis, D. (2001). Showing and telling: The difference that makes a difference. Reading: Literacy and Language, 35(3), 94–98.
Ioannou-Georgiou, S., & Pavlou, P. (2011). Guidelines for CLIL implementation in primary and pre-primary education. Cyprus: Cyprus Pedagogical Institute.
Lieberman, D. A. (2006). What can we learn from playing interactive games? In P. Vorderer & J. Bryant (Eds.), Playing video games: Motives, responses, and consequences (pp. 379–397). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Lieberman, D. A., Chesley Fisk, M., & Biely, E. (2009). Digital games for young children ages three to six: From research to design. Computers in the Schools, 26(4), 299–313. https://doi.org/10.1080/07380560903360178
Lin, A. M. Y. (2016). Language across the curriculum & CLIL in English as an additional language (EAL) contexts: Theory and practice. Springer Science+Business Media.
Linse, T. C. (2007). Predictable books in children’s EFL classroom. ELT Journal, 61(1), 46–54.
Maněnová, M., & Skutil, M. (2010). ICT and audiovisual technic in nurseries in The Czech Republic. In International conference on applied computer science (ACS’10). WSEAS Press.
Marsh, D. (2000). In D. Marsh & G. Langé (Eds.), Using languages to learn and learning to use languages. University of Jyväskylä. Retrieved from http://archive.ecml.at/mtp2/clilmatrix/pdf/1uk.pdf
Marsh, D. (2002). CLIL/EMILE-The European Dimension: Actions, Trends and Foresight Potential. Retrieved from https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/handle/123456789/47616/1/david_marsh-report.pdf
Marsh, D. (2005). The CLIL quality matrix. Central workshop report.. Retrieved from http://www.ecml.at/mtp2/CLILmatrix/pdf/wsrepD3E2005_6.pdf
Mazarese, C., Vanuytven, N., Decin, G., & Buyse, E. (2011). Multimedia in preschool: An additional opportunity towards equal opportunities in education. EECERA congres, 21, 152–152.
Mehisto, P., Marsh, D., & Frigols, M. J. (2008). Uncovering CLIL. Content and language integrated learning in bilingual and multilingual education. Macmillan Education.
Milton, J. (2009). Measuring second language vocabulary acquisition. Multilingual Matters.
Milton, J., & Alexiou, T. (2009). Vocabulary size and the common European framework of reference for languages. In B. Richards, H. M. Daller, D. D. Malvern, P. Meara, J. Milton, & J. Treffers-Daller (Eds.), Vocabulary studies in first and second language acquisition (pp. 194–211). Palgrave Macmillan.
Milton, J., & Garbi, A. (2000). Collaborative foreign language learning on the internet for primary age children: Problems and a solution. Educational Technology and Society, 3(3), 286–292.
Milton, J. L., & Vassiliu, P. (2000). Frequency and the lexis of low level EFL texts. In K. Nicolaidis & M. Mattheoudakis (Eds.), Proceedings of the 13th international symposium on theoretical and applied linguistics. Aristotle University.
Mourão, S. (2006). Understanding authentic picture books. How do children do it? In R. Mitchell-Schuitevoerder (Ed.), Teachers and young learners: Research in our classrooms (pp. 157–179). IATEFL.
Mourão, S. (2009). Surprised! Telling the pictures. Can the illustrations in picture books promote language acquisition? In Cruz, M. & Medeiros, P. (Coords) Revista Saber & Educar. n° 14 Ensino de Línguas no 1° Ciclo do Ensino Básico e Pré-escolar (pp. 1–11). : Escola Superior de Educação de Paula Frassinetti. Retrieved from http://sandiemourao.eu/pages/articlesandsongs, consultado em 20 de Julho de 2011.
Mourão, S. (2013a). Picturebook: Object of discovery. In J. Bland & C. Lütge (Eds.), Children’s literature in second language education (pp. 71–84). Bloomsbury Academic.
Mourão, S. (2013b). Understanding response to picturebooks. Encuentros, 22, 98–114. Retrieved from http://www.encuentrojournal.org/textos/Mourao_Picturebooks_revised_SM.pdf
Mourão, S. (2016). Picturebooks in the primary EFL classroom: Authentic literature for an authentic response. Children’s Literature in English Language Education Journal, 4(1), 25–43. Retrieved from http://clelejournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Picturebooks-Authentic-literature-for-an-authentic-response-CLELEjournal-4.1.pdf
Mourão, S. (2017). Picturebooks in instructed foreign language learning contexts. In M. Nikolajeva & C. Beauvais (Eds.), The Edinburgh companion to children’s literature (pp. 138–142). Edinburgh University Press.
Mourão, S. (2019). Response during picturebook read alouds in English as a foreign language. The Journal of the Irish Association of Applied Linguistics, 10, 58–76.
Nagy, W. E., & Herman, P. (1984). Limitations of vocabulary instruction. (tech. Rep. No. 326). University of Illinois Center for the Study of Reading.
Nation, I. S. P. (1990). Teaching and learning vocabulary. Heinle & Heinle Publishers.
Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. CUP.
Nation, I. S. P., & Waring, R. (1997). Vocabulary size, text coverage and word lists. In N. Schmitt & M. McCarthy (Eds.), Vocabulary: Description, acquisition and pedagogy (pp. 122–127). CUP.
Nodelman, P. (1988). Words about pictures: The narrative art of children’s picture books. University of Georgia Press.
Nikolajeva, M., & Scott, C. (2006). How picturebooks work. Routledge/Educational Testing Service.
Perween, S., & Hasan, S. H. (2020). The impact of cartoons on toddlers’ language acquisition. Language in India, 20(2), 113.
Piqueras Romero, M. (2017). Contributing to the CLIL characterisation controversy: A case study in Aragon. MA Dissertation, Spain: Universidad de Jaén.
Potter, W. J., & Warren, R. (1998). Constructions of judgements of violence. In: Paper presented at the annual meeting of the international communication association, 131.
Prošic-Santovac, D. (2016). Popular video cartoons and associated branded toys in teaching English to very young learners: A case study. Language Teaching Research, 21(5), 1–21, 568–588. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362168816639758
Ramirez, M. (2013). Usage of Multimedia Visual Aids in the English Language Classroom: A Case Study at Margarita Salas Secondary School (Majadahonda) (Master’s thesis, Universidad Complutense de Madrid). Retrieved from https://www.ucm.es/data/cont/docs/119-2015-03-17-11.MariaRamirezGarcia2013.pdf
Robb, M. B., Richert, R. A., & Wartella, E. A. (2009). Just a talking book? Word learning from watching baby videos. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 27(1), 27–45.
Rusmiati, & Rosdiana. (2017). The role of audio visual aids in EFL classroom. In Proceedings of the 1st international conference on innovative pedagogy. STKIP Bina Bangsa Getsempena.
Scheffler, P., Jones, C., & Dominska, A. (2020). The Peppa pig television series as input in preprimary EFL instruction: A corpus-based study. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 31(1), 1–15.
Schmitt, N., & McCarthy, M. (Eds.). (1997). Vocabulary: Description, acquisition and pedagogy. Cambridge University Press.
Shulevitz, U. (1985). Writing with pictures: How to write and illustrate children’s books. Watson-Guptill Publications.
Sierras, M. (2002). Diseño de medios y recursos didácticos. Innovación y cualificación.
Singer, D. G., & Singer, J. L. (2002). Handbook of children and the media. Sage.
Singer, D. G., & Singer, J. L. (2005). Imagination and play in the electronic age. Harvard University Press.
Siyanova-Chanturia, A., & Webb, S. (2016). Teaching vocabulary in the EFL context. In W. A. Renandya & H. P. Widodo (Eds.), English language teaching today: Linking theory and practice (pp. 227–240). Springer International Publishing.
Soureshjani, K. H., & Etemadi, N. (2012). Listening comprehension success among EFL preschool children using internet-based materials. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 7(1), 243–251.
Sydorenko, T. (2010). Modality of input and vocabulary acquisition. Language Learning and Technology, 14(2), 50–73.
Thai, A. M., Lowenstein, D., Ching, D., & Rejeski, D. (2009). Game changer: Investing in digital play to advance children’s learning and health. Joan Ganz Cooney Center. Retrieved from http://www.joanganzcooneycenter.org/pdf/GameChangerFINAL.pdf
Van Hoorn, J., Nourot, P., Scales, B., & Alward, K. (1993). Play at the center of the curriculum. Macmillan Publishing.
Wang, X., Kim, M. J., Love, P. E. D., & Kang, S. C. (2013). Augmented reality in built environment: Classification and implications for future research. Automation in Construction, 32, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2012.11.021
Wartella, E., O’Keefe, B., & Scantlin, R. (2000). Children and interactive media: A compendium of current research and directions for the future. Markle Foundation.
Webb, S., & Rodgers, M. P. (2009). Vocabulary demands of television programs. Language Learning, 59(2), 335–366.
Weinberger, J., & Stafford, A. (2004). Using story sacks to talk with parents about young children’s literacy learning. Education 3–13, 32(1), 31–38. https://doi.org/10.1080/03004270485200071
Wu, J.-F. (2019). Research on picture books: A comparative study of Asia and the world. Malaysian Journal of Library & Information Science, 24(2), 73–95. https://doi.org/10.22452/mjlis.vol24no2.5
Zúñiga, J. (1998). Comunicación audiovisual. Escuela de cine y vídeo.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Alexiou, T. (2023). CLIL-ing Preschoolers Through Cartoons and Other Audiovisual Materials. In: Otto, A., Cortina-Pérez, B. (eds) Handbook of CLIL in Pre-primary Education. Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04768-8_30
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-04768-8_30
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-04767-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-04768-8
eBook Packages: EducationReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Education