Methodology
Monkey Business curriculum is designed to be both fun and effective for early childhood learners. (In fact, learning can't be effective for kids unless it is fun!)
We’ve based our program on a tried-and-true combination of research and experience.
Scroll down to read about the Monkey Business method!
A Constructivist Approach
ESL students are often taught to memorize and say long sentences with structures they’ve never seen before. This makes it difficult to understand, remember, and use English properly.
At Monkey Business, we believe learning should be a cumulative process, which is why our curriculum builds on itself gradually. Our students start by learning words and short phrases. Then, they start putting those elements together to create basic sentences. Over time they construct longer and more complicated sentences with smaller pieces they already know.
Research shows that this is how young children learn their native language. By giving them the tools to create their own sentences, rather than expecting them to repeat and memorize, they can start understanding and using English like a native speaker right away.
Repetition and Review
Many ESL courses are made up of a series of one-time lessons that only loosely relate to one another. Students may learn a word or structure once and not see it again for years!
The words and phrases learned in our songs are reviewed and combined with other language in later songs as often as possible. This way, children are making longer sentences from language they're already familiar with. In our experience, kids who follow this approach have a much easier time remembering and using the material.
Embodied Learning
To help young learners quickly connect words with meaning, we’ve designed curriculum that incorporates movement and gestures wherever possible. Many of our songs and chants focus on action, which kids can clearly understand through illustrations in our songbooks.
Rather than putting students to sleep with long, difficult grammar explanations and memorization, kids can internalize the vocabulary and structure of English automatically as they sing and act out the material. Additionally, using the natural energy of children makes each lesson engaging and fun.
Tools for an Immersive Environment
Kids learn English quickly in a genuinely communicative environment. Rather than introducing words and expressions kids aren’t likely to need, Monkey Business focuses on language they can use every day. They’ll practice words and structures used both in the classroom and at home.
Allowing kids to practice real-world situations motivates them to use English to express themselves. They’ll be able to talk about themselves and the world around them, just as native speakers do.
Active & Passive Learning
Kids don’t have to sit down, stick their nose in a book, and “study” every time to use our program. Monkey Business songs can be played in the car on the way to school or at home as background music.
We’ve seen kids with little to no English experience improve rapidly just by listening and singing along with the CDs. The colorful illustrations in our songbooks are sure to capture your child’s attention, so they can absorb the material without feeling like they’re studying.
It’s been a year since we started studying English and my 5-year-old daughter has been very happy with the course. We often listen to the CD and do her homework while we eat. The study materials are easy to use, the listening is rhythmic and understandable, and we enjoy singing and dancing to the music. We look forward to continuing our daughter’s English education through this program.
- Ms. Niihara