This course plan outlines the topics, learning outcomes, teaching and learning activities, assessments, and recommended references for the Teaching and Learning English in Early Childhood course. It is designed to provide students with a structured learning pathway, enabling them to develop the knowledge and practical skills required to support young children's English language and literacy development through developmentally appropriate, child-centred, and play-based approaches. The course plan also serves as a guide for lecturers and students to ensure the effective achievement of the course learning outcomes.

This chapter introduces the basic concepts of language and literacy development in early childhood. It covers the definitions of language and literacy, their relationship, literacy development, individual differences, and approaches to early literacy. Students will also explore the Whole Language Philosophy and major language acquisition theories, including the Behaviourist, Nativist, Interactionist, and Ibn Khaldun's perspectives, to build a foundation for effective English teaching and learning in early childhood education.

This chapter introduced the four essential language skills that form the foundation of English language learning in early childhood: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These skills are interconnected and should be developed through meaningful, play-based, and child-centred learning experiences in line with the Kurikulum in PERMATA and Kurikulum Prasekolah 2026 (KP2026).