Peter & Jack (English Songs For Kids) It is a project created by Manuel Higueras Soler, foreign language specialist teacher and musician. Manuel's initiative is very interesting and innovative because it combines the ability to teach with the ability to do it with music. Manuel uses two characters, Peter (a monkey) and Jack (a raven) They help you develop your original proposal to teach the little ones having fun.
In Peques y Más we are delighted to meet more Manuel who has recently presented his project in the Clan children's channel specifically in the initiative Let's Clan. As we have already mentioned, it is a commitment to promote the children's learning of English in the fall and with the return to school they will include their own production formats in English and in which Peter and Jack will be prominent protagonists. Manuel worked as an English teacher in children's classrooms, for children between two and six years. In addition, as part of his pedagogical work, he began composing songs for his students to turn the English class into something fun and fun for everyone. So to tell us what are the Peter & Jack projects in Clan We leave you with Manuel Higueras.
What does Peter & Jack consist of and since when does the project work?
Peter & Jack is a project aimed at developing children's interest in English through stories and songs developed from within the classroom in collaboration with children. The project was developed five years ago when I started my career as an English teacher for children in school. It is then, when I realize the lack of “artistic” quality that, in my opinion, show most of the resources that I find within my reach. That is why I decide to try to elaborate my own resources, trying to combine two concepts that really go hand in hand: art and teaching.
What are the new plans of the project and how it will work in Let's Clan
Our participation in Let's clan will be, in addition to our new series The house adventures of Peter & Jack, drive and present the container program where the different series will be included in the original version: Pepa Pig, Pocoyo, etc. We will also be the ones who put the musical note in the playful educational television project.
How did you come up with linking music to learning English?
I only put what I do best at the service of teaching, that is, my abilities. In my case the fact of being a musician / composer.
At what ages the section in Let's Clan is aimed
Fundamentally and although even within this range we are aware that there are great differences, the project wants to meet the educational needs of children between 3 and 6 years.
What happens to older children, how can the momentum be maintained when they grow up?
The key is to locate the centers of interest and transform them into vehicles for the transmission of knowledge. In this case, English. To put it another way, the goal of learning a language is communication. Talking is a stimulating activity in itself. You just have to find out what they want to talk about and how they want to do it.
Why it costs us so much to learn English in Spain
I would highlight several factors:
- One, the difference that exists in itself, between both languages (Spanish-English)
- Two, the lack of a real and daily need to use what has been learned; communicate in English, listen to the language (radio, television, cinema, etc.)
- Three, a methodology that has traditionally placed excessive emphasis on written skills: reading and writing, and has left too many others, in my opinion, more important as oral ones: comprehension and expression
How can parents practice learning English at home with kids?
For those who do not speak English, I believe that the experience of shared learning can be very positive. It can be done through something as simple as watching TV together. In English, of course.
Sharing the taste for the same series (even for different reasons), and being interested in finding out the meaning of the characters' dialogues, encourages the desire for discovery and the research attitude in the child. This research attitude is key for our children to later develop autonomy in their learning. This autonomy, will develop continuity in their learning.
For those who already know, in addition to what has been said above, I believe that naturally including a percentage of communication between parents and children in English is very beneficial for both parties.
Where can we see Peter & Jack besides the Clan
Of course, in theaters next year. I think it is always a very motivating and interesting experience, the fact of being able to see the characters on TV live. Even more, when it comes to learning.
What materials are you going to work to practice at home. What plans do you have to work Let's Clan in schools
He British Council, who is also a collaborating agent in this project, will be in charge of developing a series of cards, through which both from home and at school, students can work on the contents that are addressed, in each episode of Let's Clan.
And here the interview with Manuel Higueras, we thank you for your attention with Peques and More. He also wanted to say goodbye to us by reminding us that: See you in October and have a happy summer!
