GrapeSEED

GrapeSEED is a research-based oral language acquisition and critical listening program[1] for teachers that allows students to obtain the English language naturally.[2] This natural approach, developed by Stephen Krashen, a linguist and researcher in the fields of second-language acquisition and bilingual education, and Tracy D. Terrell, an education theorist, is intended to give language learners the ability to "communicate with native speakers of the target language" by having students, who are taught in a classroom setting, first comprehend the language, and then "Speech (and writing) production emerges as the acquisition process progresses."[3]

Research and theories

Some of the research and theories that GrapeSEED is based on include the following:

  • Functional-notional approach:[1] Mary Finocchario, educator and TESOL president (1970-1971), and Christopher Brumfit, educator, "identify the functional-notional syllabus [from the Council of Europe] as an 'innovative approach' (1983:xi) to language learning and teaching which has as its primary focus the learners and the function or functions of language, that is, the communicative purpose learners wish to express and to understand."[4]
  • Natural approach:[2] According to Krashen, language "acquisition is based primarily on what we hear and understand, not what we say," which he defines as comprehensible input.[5] Regarding teaching language acquisition, he believes "The best methods are therefore those that supply 'comprehensible input' in low anxiety situations, containing messages that students really want to hear. These methods do not force early production in the second language, but allow students to produce when they are 'ready', recognizing that improvement comes from supplying communicative and comprehensible input, and not from forcing and correcting production."[6]

The GrapeSEED program involves students participating in a teacher-led classroom where the English language is introduced and learned with materials and activities that focus not on grammar, but on language acquisition, or "'picking-up' a language."[2][7] With acquisition, "We are generally not consciously aware of the rules of the languages we have acquired. Instead, we have a 'feel' for correctness. Grammatical sentences 'sound' right, or 'feel' right, and errors feel wrong, even if we do not consciously know what rule was violated."[7] This focus on oral language acquisition, paired with critical listening, defined as "the process of analyzing and evaluating the accuracy, legitimacy, and value of messages",[8] is intended to help students first achieve an understanding of the language, and then speak, read, and write it.[2]

The GrapeSEED program is used to teach the English language with children in preschool through second grade,[9] economically disadvantaged students,[1] and English as a Second Language (ESL) students.[10] It includes multimedia materials,[2] teaching manuals and training processes.[11]

GrapeSEED is sold by GrapeCity, inc., a privately held, multinational software corporation based in Sendai, Japan, that develops its own software products and provides outsourced product development services, consulting services, software, and Customer relationship management services.[12]

History

GrapeSEED was created from the idea of Paul Broman Sr., an American missionary who wanted to teach Japanese children the English language after World War II. In 1950, Paul moved to Japan, and along with other families and friends, built a kindergarten school.[13] Established in 1967, this school, located in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, was named Miyagi MeySen Academy[14] and is where GrapeSEED originated.[10]

In 2009, GrapeSEED was introduced in South Korea and as of 2011 "...is already helping their children to learn English, elementary education by introducing such a program in the country in more than 270 kindergartens, children's homes, language schools."[15]

In 2012, GrapeSEED was introduced in the United States at Mars Elementary School in Berrien Springs, Michigan.[16] It is used in the following 16 countries: Albania,[17] Azerbaijan,[18] Brazil,[9] China,[9] India,[19][20] Indonesia,[21] Japan,[22] Malaysia,[23] Mongolia,[24] Myanmar,[9] Nepal,[9] Russia,[25] South Korea,[15][26] Thailand,[27][28] United States,[10] and Vietnam.[9]

References

  1. ^ a b c Keim, Bill (October 2014). "Latest Educational Research Demonstrates Value of GrapeSEED" (PDF). WASA Hotline: 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e Chang, Daris (March 2015). "Book and Materials Review: GrapeSEED Curriculum GrapeSEED Media, Ltd. Kirkland, WA: GrapeCity Inc., 2013". TESOL Journal. 6 (1): 193–194. doi:10.1002/tesj.181.
  3. ^ Krashen, Stephen D.; Terrell, Tracy D. (1996). The Natural Approach Language Acquisition in the Classroom. Bloodaxe Books Ltd. p. 58. ISBN 978-0136099345.
  4. ^ Berns, Margie (1990). Contexts of Competence: Social and Cultural Considerations in Communicative Language Teaching. US: Springer Science & Business Media. p. 86. ISBN 978-0306434693.
  5. ^ Krashen, Stephen; Terrell, Tracy D. (1996). The Natural Approach Language Acquisition in the Classroom. Bloodaxe Books Ltd. p. 1. ISBN 978-0136099345.
  6. ^ "Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition". Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition. Ricardo Schütz. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Krashen, Stephen D. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition Language Teaching Methodology Series. Pergamon. p. 10. ISBN 9780080286280.
  8. ^ Duck, Steve; McMahan, David T. (2013). Communication in Everyday Life: A Survey of Communication. SAGE Publications. p. 127. ISBN 9781483321769.
  9. ^ a b c d e f "GrapeSEED working with My First School Kindergarten, Hanoi - Vietnam". mfs.edu.vn.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ a b c Mumford, Lou (February 25, 2013). "ESL program a 'game-changer'". Archived from the original on October 10, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015 – via SouthBendTribune.com.
  11. ^ "Buckeye Learning Support Team Attends GrapeSeed Conference | Buckeye". salemquakers.k12.oh.us. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  12. ^ Buchanan, Clare (September 30, 2014). "Japan's GrapeCity: At home in Xi'an". ChinaWatch, a paid supplement to the Washington Post. ChinaWatch. Archived from the original on February 8, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2015.
  13. ^ Rubinstein, David (July 27, 2012). "Industry Watch: Seeds yield fruit for GrapeCity". SD Times Magazine. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  14. ^ "宮城明泉学園 - Miyagi MeySen Academy | English - Our History". www.meysen.ac.jp. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  15. ^ a b Yong Joon, Kim (2011). "New market leader in infant and elementary English education market, "GrapeSEED"". Economy CEO (Korea). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  16. ^ Clawson, Cindi (June 20, 2012). "New learning method helping kids learn English". WNDU Channel 16 News. Archived from the original on June 21, 2014. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  17. ^ "Courses". Lincoln Centers of Albania. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
  18. ^ "Interlink "English for Kids"". www.facebook.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  19. ^ "GrapeSeed English Language Solution for Kids - Delhi - EventsHigh". EventsHigh. Retrieved September 14, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  20. ^ "St. Judes Play School.... GrapeSeed English Curriculum in Gurgaon India | Pre-School in Gurgaon India at UpFeet India". www.upfeet.in. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  21. ^ "grapeseed english for children | Love To Learn Indonesia". lovetolearnindonesia.com. April 30, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  22. ^ "Mizuho school". www.mizuho-edu.co.jp. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  23. ^ "Proven Programmes | ActiveKidz GrapeSeed". www.activekidzgrapeseed.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  24. ^ "Логарифм дунд сургууль". logarithm.mn. Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  25. ^ "Rick Norman Launches GrapeSEED Curriculum Program for GrapeCity". ricknormangrapecity.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  26. ^ "성민유치원". www.sungmin-i.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  27. ^ Administrator. "GrapeSEED". www.lertlah.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  28. ^ Gall, Rob (February 18, 2015). "First International Conference At Buriram Rajabhat University". Buriram Times.com. Retrieved September 14, 2015.[permanent dead link‍]