Ground-breaking new texts reveal how to teach children to think

Press release

Teachers are trained to teach specific subjects to children but is there a first step that has been missed? Should teachers first be teaching children how to think? 

Two new books from the respected author Herbert Puchta suggest that thinking, and teaching how to do it, have been the missing tools in the teacher’s kitbag for too long. The books advocate learning a language by conquering skillful thinking techniques. The authors firmly believe that, along with the traditionally agreed-on skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing, thinking is the, hitherto neglected, fifth skill. 

Based on the latest insights into how the brain works fresh from the field of neuroscience, the two texts offer teachers and students activities specifically designed to develop children’s foreign language competence while promoting basic thinking skills and, along the way, improving memory and concentration.

The common theme is obviously Puchta who pioneered the introduction of elements from neuroscience (Neurolinguistic Programming, multiple intelligences and cognitive psychology) into ELT teaching. Puchta said:

“If you work on children’s thinking skills on a regular basis, the development of their thinking skills will also enhance their cognitive resources. When children get used to systematically applying their thinking skills, they will go through positive learning experiences, and they will gradually learn to enjoy more challenging tasks. As a result, their self-confidence will grow.”

The authors of the two books have created 13 categories of activity that help with both the development of the learners’ thinking skills and their language. Running from basic to higher-order thinking skills, they include making comparisons, focusing attention, exploring space, time and numbers, creating associations, making decisions and analysing cause and effect.

Around these they have developed specifically designed tasks that develop children’s foreign language competence while promoting the thinking skills they will need as they grow older.

The authors introduce children to engaging characters, each with super powers, who accompany the learners on their journey. As the students grow, so do the characters, and new faces are introduced every two levels. Exploring social values, the course is designed to enhance thinking skills, sharpen memory and improve concentration.

 

 

Herbert Puchta has a Ph.D. in ELT Pedagogy from the University of Graz in Austria, is Professor of English at the Teacher Training University and former President of IATEFL. He has co-authored numerous ELT courses, as well as articles and resource books. Herbert has been a plenary speaker at a number of international conferences, and has conducted workshops and given seminars in countries across the world. Herbert Puchta is the author of Super Minds and Teaching Young Learners to think