English for Middle School and High School Children is the most effective
Standing on the middle and high school threshold, many students feel worried because of the massive amount of knowledge, including English. To find out the English learning path for students of middle and high schools scientifically according to the Ministry of Education standard framework, is a challenge for both children and parents.
This is the subject that students consider an obsession during their student days, partly because of the lack of direction and correct learning mindset. So, how can parents help their children find the right path for this middle school English training stage? Find out with TONO right here.
1. Why is middle and high school a good time to learn English?
The Middle and High School English program is a very important foundation for 11 to 18 years old students. Accordingly, they must follow closely and meet a more significant and more difficult amount of knowledge at grade 1. Preparing in advance the English learning route for middle and high school students will create an English foundation for children in the future.
Building English reflexes early in preparation for international English exams such as IELTS and TOEIC,… and for a career path of global integration.
2. Two components of English for middle and high school students to pay attention to
2.1 Vocabulary
According to research by language experts, 1000 common words in English account for nearly 75% of primary daily communication content. Meanwhile, the 3000 most common words comprise 85% of that total.
More surprisingly, if learners memorize 5000 words, they can understand 98% of all communication content of native speakers.
The same applies to the secondary and high school textbooks’ vocabulary. The number of prescribed vocabulary ranges from 800 – 1000 words at level 2. Basic foundation vocabulary will be repeated by more than 80%, and more advanced vocabulary belonging to academic topics will be repeated only 20%.
Therefore, children only need to learn and apply 80% of the basic words well to master English in middle and high school.
Middle and high school English grammar content, continues to consolidate and expand the range at the primary and secondary levels. At the same time, the content includes structures that help improve foreign language development capacity at the middle and high school levels.
The main grammatical structures appear in the 2nd and 3rd grade programs:
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- Narrative sentence
- Command sentence
- Exclamation sentence
- Affirmation – negation
- Simple compound sentences
- Relative clause
- English tenses: Present simple, present continuous, past simple, past continuous, etc.
- Modal verbs – Infinitives
- Verb – Verb adjective
- Order of adjectives
- Countdown Nouns – Uncountable
- The possessive form of nouns
- Nominative pronouns – Interrogative pronouns – Relative pronouns – Reflexive pronouns – Possessive pronouns
- Prepositions – Adverbs – Conjunctions
- Definite Article – Indefinite Article
3. English learning roadmap for middle and high school students
3.1 Stage 1 – Grade 6 English
6th grade students face a lot of confusion during the transition period from elementary to middle school. The children could not help but be surprised by many new things. At the same time, students will have to adapt to new knowledge from the 6th grade English subject.
During this period, children should learn and hone their listening skills, forming natural reflexes and thinking in the language. To further support this process, students must simultaneously cultivate vocabulary on the same topic and in different contexts.
With the above two things, their fundamental learning thinking will be perfected.
3.2 Stage 2 – Grade 7 English
After a year of getting used to English in grade 6, students continue to upgrade their knowledge in the 7th grade program. The output requires them to master basic communication sentences/phrases around social topics in everyday society.
Grade 7 English grammar is also more advanced, specifically including conditional, declarative, and exclamatory sentences,…
Therefore, in addition to creating a habit of reviewing vocabulary daily, students must spend more time practicing key grammatical structures.
They can memorize them by setting up real-life examples, using mnemonic Mindmaps, and practicing essential communication with the structure they just learned. In the 7th grade, they have gradually become more familiar with the amount of knowledge of secondary school English. However, they still fear taking the initiative and expressing their opinions in class.
Parents should encourage children to study with friends first, building confidence in themselves. After that, children will be able to talk to teachers in class confidently.
3.3 Stage 3 – Grade 8 English
The English learning route for 8th grade middle school students will require students to master key grammatical structures. Combined with knowledge from 7th grade, children have moved closer to perfecting basic English grammar.
In addition, this is the incubation period, preparing for the secondary school graduation exam and enrollment in 10 after the 9th grade year ends. Children need to learn English well in grade 8 to continue accumulating vocabulary both inside and outside the curriculum, forming reflexes for complete conversations.
Furthermore, students need to have access to actual exam questions, as well as strategies to prepare and do well for important competitions such as: semester exams, English excellent student exams, entrance exams, and good exams for their Secondary school career.
3.4 Stage 4 – Grade 9 English
The route to learning English in middle school for grade 9 will be a little different. This is a period of acceleration and consolidation of all knowledge at all levels for the graduation exam and grade 10 transfer. During the school year, students must ensure they master all grade 9 English knowledge because this is the critical exam in the 10th grade entrance exam.
Students will need to be much more proactive than other levels.
They will need to prepare a detailed outline to systematize all knowledge. They must learn much about standard pronunciation, such as intonation, stress, and ending. In addition, they will also need to know more advanced grammar points such as inversion, advanced conditional sentences, etc.
They will apply it more deeply when they practice, analyze, and redo it many times, thereby drawing conclusions and adjusting the review process more effectively.
These are the 4 stages in the middle school English learning path that parents and children need to understand.
3.5 Stage 5 – High School English
3.5.1 Get familiar with IELTS, Improve skills and Practice to achieve goals
This journey will be a milestone for students to start with IELTS. IELTS is an academic test, so once you have a little, you can start practicing to learn it easily.
You should choose books from the In use series, such as vocabulary and grammar, to learn more. The book is divided by level, so practice according to your ability.
Then, focus on learning vocabulary, academic grammar with Grammar for IELTS, and Vocabulary for IELTS. This is the necessary foundation for your exam preparation.
In addition, TONO English also has IELTS courses to conquer the ladder above 7.0 for students.
TONO’s IELTS course is committed to:
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- Proficient in English to an outstanding level.
- Can communicate with the fluency and sophistication of a highly competent English speaker.
- Study or work in a high-level professional or academic environment.
The English learning path for middle and high school students will need a lot of support from their parents and their continuous efforts. Please refer to and apply TONO’s sharing to your study habits. TONO wishes to accompany the children on their journey to conquer knowledge and join the youth generation in creating a sustainable future.