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Read the English translation of our brochure below or view the text in PDF format by clicking here.
More, better and earlier English
All over the world children receive foreign language education at an early age.
In 2002 the EU member states signed the ‘Treaty of Barcelona’, thereby stating their intention to start foreign language education in primary school at the earliest possible age.
The Stichting Bestuur Openbaar Onderwijs Rotterdam (BOOR) shares this intention. In an international city like Rotterdam it is essential to have a good command of a universal language like English. To that end a project called ‘EarlyBird’ was started at a select number of schools.
Today EarlyBird enjoys national recognition, and more and more schools from outside Rotterdam are joining the programme. All these schools have seized the opportunity to start with Early English in order to enable children to become as skilled as possible in English.
EarlyBird came into existence in 2003 as an initiative from the Stichting Bestuur Openbaar Onderwijs Rotterdam (BOOR) to teach English to young children. A pilot was started to develop ‘more, better and earlier English’ in primary education. Through the years the EarlyBird methodology has been further developed, guided by both experience and scientific research. EarlyBird has evolved from a pilot into a centre of knowledge, operating on a national scale.
In Rotterdam we work together closely with the ROC Zadkine and the Rotterdam University (Hogeschool Rotterdam). Students at the Primary Teacher Training Institute of the Rotterdam University have the option of doing an ‘Early English’ minor, after which they are fully equipped to be employed as an English teacher at an EarlyBird school.
Outside Rotterdam EarlyBird works closely with regional partners. Thanks to these partnerships we can help schools in the entire country, for example:
- by drafting a customised programme and a plan of implementation
- by assisting with the implementation and evaluation of the programme
- by giving background information to parents and teaching staff
- by providing extra training for teachers by means of a Classroom English course
- with the development of English teaching materials
Via the portal on the website every EarlyBird school also has access to lesson plans, ideas for digital activities, scientific articles and many other items. Conferences are organised especially for EarlyBird schools and teaching materials that have been tried and tested may be purchased with attractive discounts.
Apart from the curricula for schools, EarlyBird has also developed programmes for the Brede School and for pre-schools and day care centres. We also work closely with secondary schools to realise a continuous programme of study.
Ongoing scientific research and cooperation with material and product developers are two other spearheads. EarlyBird is a pioneer in the application of ICT in the language acquisition process of young children.
EarlyBird wants to contribute to national initiatives that promote the development of early foreign language education, as it takes form under the responsibility of the European Platform (Europees Platform).
More, better and earlier English
Singing songs, playing games and reading stories – all in English: young children have the ability to pick up a language during play. Their vocabulary grows quickly and it is easier for them to develop good pronunciation than it would be at a later age. Another advantage is the improvement of general language development. Research by professors Goorhuis-Brouwer and De Bot shows that starting English at an early age also has a positive effect on the command of Dutch and the ability to learn other languages.
Starting at an earlier age automatically means that the children get more English. Starting in group 1/2, the Earlybirdies have eight years experience of English when they move on to secondary school, instead of two years for children at a regular primary school.
Moreover, EarlyBird aims for a robust programme: the children spend at least 60 minutes a week on English, preferably more in the lower and higher groups.
The EarlyBird programme fits in as much as possible with the developmental stages of the children. In groups one to three the children don’t have English lessons as such, but part of the standard curriculum will be conducted in English. In that way the playful manner in which children pick up a language is taken into account. Apart from that, the EarlyBird programme is geared to the children’s perception of their environment, working with recognisable themes like clothing and the seasons. In springtime it is also ‘spring’ in the classroom! It is important to integrate the English activities into the existing school programme. For example, in groups 6 to 8 a project can be done in English or the children can participate in a foreign exchange programme.
For all schools
All schools are different. That is why it is possible to adapt the EarlyBird programme to each specific school, its teachers and pupils. A Montessori school asks for a different approach than a regular primary school. And some schools prefer carrying out the EarlyBird programme with their own teachers, while others choose to employ a native speaker who gives English lessons. A school that joins the EarlyBird programme can either choose to start in group 1/2 or in groups 5 and 6. If a school starts in group 1/2, much time is spent on English in the lower groups. From playfully picking up the language in groups 1 to 3, the children gradually work up to English as a ‘real’ subject in groups 6 to 8, at which stage the children will also do English projects and activities. If a school opts to start in groups 5 and 6, English is a ‘real’ subject from the outset. Here too, it is important to do extra activities: if a child puts into practice what he has learned, the subject becomes even more useful and meaningful.
All children can join in!
No matter what the programme looks like exactly, all children profit from ‘more, better and earlier English’. Naturally, just as in other subjects, differences will arise between different children. For example, for dyslexic children it is especially hard to master English spelling. That is taken into account in the structure of the programme. The EarlyBird programme also has a positive effect on children who speak a language other than Dutch at home. Research that has been conducted on primary schools in Rotterdam shows that the children’s experiences with English improves their Dutch language development.
The EarlyBird programme allows for the differentiation that is required by the differences between both children and schools. All children should be able to join in because a good command of English is important for further education at all levels. For example, following the successful start of bilingual education for VWO and HAVO, a bilingual VMBO is now on its way. Moreover, EarlyBird works together with secondary schools to develop a continuous programme of study, so that secondary schools are well-prepared for the Earlybirdies.
EarlyBird: a guarantee for quality
EarlyBird has developed a standard, highlighting goals concerning the quality of education in ‘more, better and earlier English’. The implementation of the EarlyBird programme doesn’t happen overnight. It needs time. When the programme is implemented, the educational concept and the ambitions of the school are always taken into account. EarlyBird schools can use the Kijkwijzer, which is a set of evaluation guidelines, to see to what extent they meet the requirements of the standard. If the requirements are met, the EarlyBird-hallmark is awarded to the school. This trajectory usually takes three years to complete. Due to this careful approach EarlyBird remains a guarantee for quality, giving schools reason to be proud.
