Review of Literature on Teaching English Vocabularies Through Games to Young Language Learners

In the last two decades, learning English has become a popular activity in Iran (Sadeghi & Richards, 2015). There has been a remarkable increase in the number of private language schools in the country. In Iran, interest in English has risen due to the status of the language as a lingua franca and its necessity for technical, scientific, and economic developments. Meanwhile, vocabulary is deemed as one of the most crucial aspects of learning a language. Currently, vocabularies are taught through traditional methods; therefore, young learners lose their interest over time. This paper aims to substantiate that games are profoundly effective in teaching vocabularies and affect young learners’ motivation and engagement with the language. This paper presents a review of literature on teaching English vocabularies through games to young English language learners in Iran. It discusses the practical instructions of games and how games could be taught more effectively. It describes the suitability and implication of games and how they should be selected and implemented by teachers. Three games are introduced for teaching vocabularies and followed by a discussion on the inherent challenges of teaching vocabularies through games.

A Comparison of Online Learning Challenges Between Young Learners and Adult Learners in ESL Classes During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Critical Review

This critical review aims to make a comparison of online learning challenges between young learners and adult learners in ESL classes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has forced the closure of schools and institutions and the shift from face to face classes to online learning which forced the learners to adapt with the transformation. The challenges being faced by the young and adult learners were categorized into three themes, namely learning styles, psychological effect and low academic performance. A total of 40 articles were screened from the years 2020 and 2021. Out of those articles, 29 articles were recognized for the adult learners’ challenges and 11 articles for the young learners’ challenges. The findings suggested there were differences of challenges between the young and adult learners. It is important to recognize the challenges faced by these two levels of learners so that these challenges can be addressed accordingly in the future.

Introduction to Computational Thinking With MI-GO

The present study is part of a research about computational thinking and tangible robotics. A robot in development in Portugal, MI-GO robot, is part of the basis of this research. The objective is to determine the attitude of young students concerning tangible robots and to observe in what measure they contribute to the development of their STEM skills. On the other hand, it also aims to know what are the opinions of educators, teachers, and researchers concerning MI-GO's characteristics and what is their value, adequacy and suitability for the educational grades of young learners (from 5 to 10). The study consists on a qualitative approach based in a case study methodology, using the techniques of questionnaire and observation. At first the data reveal a clear adhesion to the robot and tangible programming by learners, and the researchers that analyzed the device consider it was a very adequate one and presented several suggestions to improve it.

Digital Literacy Niche in Academia

With the awareness and proliferation of technology, the smart approach is possible to build a learning system or a smart city. The study aims to present the involvement of digital literacy in academics, making youth smart citizens, and assessing the continuous efforts at different levels. The study highlighted the mechanisms adopted by the libraries, such as training and other programmes, to enhance the digital literacy of the citizens. The chapter spotlighted the inclusion of digital literacy in academics, and with the adoption of digital solutions, young learners can become smart citizens. It also throws light on the impact of digital literacy during COVID-19 and digital literacy activities at JNU Central Library. A glimpse of the practices and measures adopted by the academic libraries to enrich the youth to make them smart citizens is provided, and a case example of an academic library (i.e., Jawaharlal Nehru University [JNU] Central Library) is considered for the study. Digital literacy has become an integral part of the youths' lives, and it supplements in making youth smart citizens would lead to smart city development.