Abstract:

The modern generation of children is surrounded by abundancy of audiovisual information sources. Electronic media and audiovisual media are becoming the main tools shaping a child’s world view. In this respect, educators take into consideration the didactic potential of audiovisual materials as a means of teaching English to preschoolers. The aim of the research is to create a series of audiovisual techniques-based lessons for preschoolers to boost their motivation and develop their listening and speaking skills.

In this regard, we focused on an analysis of the didactic potential of authentic video materials. Despite a great variety of the English language video materials Youtube-resource "Learn English with Om Nom" was selected for our purpose as one of the most appropriate to teach this very age group.

The article presents the results of the experimental study conducted in two groups of 10 preschoolers each. To achieve the aim of the research the psychological and physiological characteristics of the participants were identified. We worked out 7- lesson series. Each lesson is based on a video of "Learn English with Om Nom" resource, is devoted to a certain topic and comprises a set of activities aiming to develop preschoolers’ skills. It should be noted that the material and topics of the lessons were specifically selected and interconnected: lexical units under study constantly overlap in different videos, which contributes to the effective memorization of the material of the lessons.

The video materials considered in the study have sufficient didactic potential, because they have such unique qualities as audiovisualization and visibility, thanks to which there is an increase in the interest of students in learning English. The techniques employed proved to be encouraging and motivating. The preschoolers demonstrate developed listening and speaking skills, creativity, enthusiasm during the lessons, which facilitated the English language acquisition.

Keywords:

Teaching English, teaching preschoolers, audiovisual techniques, motivation, child-friendly educational environment.