BOOK REPORTS IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE
BOOK REPORTS IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Author(s): Marica Simić, Đukica Mirković
Subject(s): Foreign languages learning, School education
Published by: UNIVERZITET U SARAJEVU – PEDAGOŠKI FAKULTET
Keywords: book reports; primary education; English as a second language; language skills;
Summary/Abstract: Primary school students in the Republic of Srpska currently have no compulsory book reports in the school curriculum. It would be possible to introduce writing book reports in English as a foreign language thanks to some of the books they have as planned compulsory reading in their native language lessons. This would be beneficial for both subjects, the Serbian language and the English language. Students from the sixth to the ninth grade of primary school have participated in this study. Compulsory reading for their native language includes 'The Call of the Wild' by Jack London, 'Tom Sawyer' by Mark Twain, 'The Big Wave' by Pearl Buck and 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The same principle could be applied to learning English as a second language when it comes to writing book reports. By doing so, students improve their vocabulary and grammar, as well as reading and writing skills. At the same time, they could prepare for their other subject, the Serbian language, or they could use the knowledge and experience from their Serbian lessons and incorporate it into the book reports in English. Other advantages this might bring would be a more natural way of adopting a foreign language, more developed analytical thinking skills, learning new information, memory and concentration improvement and better writing skills.

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