LANGUAGE, LEARNING, AND CULTURE IN EARLY CHILDHOOD

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Ann Anderson ◽  
Jim Anderson ◽  
Jan Hare ◽  
Marianne McTavish ◽  
Tess Prendergast
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Language Learning

scholarly journals Analyzing input quality along three dimensions: interactive, linguistic, and conceptual

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meredith L. ROWE ◽  
Catherine E. SNOW
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Pretend Play ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Book Reading ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Input Quality ◽  
Children's Development

AbstractThis paper provides an overview of the features of caregiver input that facilitate language learning across early childhood. We discuss three dimensions of input quality: interactive, linguistic, and conceptual. All three types of input features have been shown to predict children's language learning, though perhaps through somewhat different mechanisms. We argue that input best designed to promote language learning is interactionally supportive, linguistically adapted, and conceptually challenging for the child's age/level. Furthermore, input features interact across dimensions to promote learning. Some but not all qualities of input vary based on parent socioeconomic status, language, or culture, and contexts such as book-reading or pretend play generate uniquely facilitative input features. The review confirms that we know a great deal about the role of input quality in promoting children's development, but that there is much more to learn. Future research should examine input features across the boundaries of the dimensions distinguished here.

scholarly journals Language Learning and Childcare Choice in Wales

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-77
Author(s):  
David J. Dallimore ◽  
Lowri Cunnington-Wynn
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
School Experiences ◽  
Economic Capital ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Social And Cultural Capital ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
Welsh Language ◽  
Education And Care

While there is increasing evidence that children who learn Welsh before they start formal education have higher levels of fluency, few parents choose Welsh-medium or bilingual early childhood education and care. This paper reports on the findings and policy implications of a mixed-method study that examined Welsh parents' childcare choices and asked to what extent those choices are influenced by language. Using Bourdieusian theory it was found that attitudes and practices within the childcare field differ according to parents' habitus and perceived capital value of the Welsh language. Where Welsh is widely spoken, both Welshand non-Welsh-speaking parents chose Welsh-medium early childhood services intuitively and in recognition of the extent to which bilingualism forms valuable social and cultural capital that is convertible to future economic capital. In non-Welsh-speaking areas, without such intuition or recognition of the transferable value of language as redeemable capital, parents did not form the habitus that might dispose them to choose Welsh-medium or bilingual pre-school experiences. As a consequence, the supply of Welsh-language childcare does not develop in response to demand, limiting opportunities for bilingualism to take root in many areas. These findings are important in the context of Welsh Government's policy target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

scholarly journals The Effect of Professional Development on Multilingual Education in Early Childhood in Luxembourg

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudine Kirsch ◽  
Gabrijela Aleksić
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Early Years ◽  
Language Diversity ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Multilingual Education ◽  
Paired Samples ◽  
Shed Light

While multilingual programmes have been implemented in early childhood education in several countries, professionals have shown to be unsure of how to deal with language diversity and promote home languages. Therefore, there is a need for professional development. The present article discusses the outcomes of a professional course on multilingual education in early childhood delivered to 46 early-years practitioners in Luxembourg. Using a questionnaire administered prior to and after the course as well as interviews, we examined the influence of the training on attitudes to multilingual education and activities to develop Luxembourgish and home languages. The analysis drew on content analysis, paired samples t-test and correlational analysis. The findings show that the course positively influenced the professionals’ knowledge about multilingualism and language learning, their attitudes towards home languages, their interest in organising activities in the children’s home languages and the implementation of these activities. The results shed light on special interest areas such as the quality of input that future professional development courses could focus on.

scholarly journals Comparing Early Childhood Teacher Education in the subject Language learning and Early literacy in Denmark and Norway

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Liv Gjems ◽  
Ida Kornerup ◽  
Bente Vatne ◽  
Vibeke Schrøder
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Early Literacy ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher ◽  
Early Childhood Teacher Education ◽  
Norwegian Student ◽  
Subjective Learning

Few studies highlight the content of early childhood teacher education (ECTE) and examine the quality of knowledge acquired by future early childhood teachers. The current study concerns two questions. The first explores the goals of the national curricula in Danish and Norwegian ECTE concerning children’s language learning and early literacy. The second explores how satisfied Danish and Norwegian student teachers are with their own subjective learning outcomes related to the same themes. To answer the first question, data were collected through document analysis of the two countries’ national curricula. To answer the second question, data were collected through a survey handed out to student teachers in both countries at the end of their education. The survey contained questions about factual, procedural, and meta-knowledge areas. The survey participants comprised 199 Norwegian student teachers from three University Colleges and 90 Danish student teachers from three separate campuses at one University College. This study reveals that the Norwegian student teachers evaluated their subjective learning outcomes in the fields of language learning and early literacy more highly than Danish student teachers. Our research points to the fact that, compared to the Norwegian ECTE, the breadth of subjects in the Danish ECTE bachelor program tends to give lower subjective learning outcomes in these knowledge areas.

scholarly journals The perceptions of five urban early childhood educators on the needs of young English language learners in child care centres : best practices in the field

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olayinka Fakunle
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
School Readiness ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Early Childhood Educators ◽  
Language Retention

This study investigated the perceptions of Early Childhood Educators on the needs of English language learners in childcare centres in Toronto, Canada. A modified grounded theory methodology was utilized in the study. Interviews were held with 5 Early Childhood Educators; these interviews were transcribed and coded. 5 themes arose from this qualitative analysis: sensitivity, communication, school readiness, home language retention and socialization. Results indicate that ECEs perceived that English language learners thrive in a caring environment with staff that will guide and support them in language learning, and where the use of their first language is encouraged and used to build the skills in the second language. Recommendations include ensuring the presence of staff that have a first language match with the English language learners, and can speak the same language with the children.

scholarly journals Early Childhood Bilingualism: The Myths, Truths, and Implications in English Language Learning in Pontianak

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Teddy Fiktorius
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Impairment ◽  
English Language ◽  
Minority Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
West Kalimantan ◽  
Time Investment ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Descriptive Method

The paper explicates the immediate concern of gaining a deeper insight of language acquisition in the early childhood bilingualism in the setting of Pontianak city, a multi-ethnic city located in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. It is written through descriptive method or library research to provide the readers, especially the parents and teachers with better insights into a basis for decision making about raising and educating children bilingually. The first part elaborates on four myths, namely the myth of the monolingual brain, the myth of time investment, the myth of bilingualism and language impairment; and the myth of minority language children. It is followed by the argumentative support by the experts in the fields based on the literature review. Next, discussions are presented as a whole, pointing out some of significant implications for parents and teachers. Finally, an overall conclusion of the paper coverage is provided.

scholarly journals PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INGGRIS UNTUK ANAK USIA DINI: 15 PRINSIP PENDEKATAN DAN METODE PEMBELAJARAN OLEH PROFESSOR JACK C. RICHARD

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Dewa Gede Rat Dwiyana Putra
Keyword(s):  
Early Childhood ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Childhood Education ◽  
Approach Method ◽  
Young Learner ◽  
Compulsory Subject

<p>English is not a compulsory subject in early childhood education (ECD) curriculum in Indonesia. However, practically, many ECD schools implement English language learning which adds value to the existence of the ECD School itself, in addition to the demand of parents. Therefore, many problems arise in the ELT practice in ECD schools, one of which is the problem of the appropriateness of approaches and methods of ELT applied to the young learner. This article aims to promote the English learning approaches in teaching English for young learner (TEYL) that have been presented by Professor Jack C. Richard in his official web page, complemented by methods that can be implemented by ECD school Teachers. Several related studies on the effectiveness of the method are also presented to provide empirical evidence from various contexts. Finally, conclusions and suggestions about TEYL approaches and methods are addressed to readers, especially for ECD practitioners and researchers interested in TEYL.<br />Keywords: Approach, Method, English Languge Teaching, Early Childhood.<br />Abstrak<br />Bahasa Inggris merupakan mata pelajaran yang tidak diwajibkan dalam kurikulum PAUD di Indonesia. Namun, dalam praktiknya banyak Sekolah PAUD melaksanakan pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris yang memberikan nilai tambah untuk keberadaan Sekolah PAUD itu sendiri disamping karena adanya permintaan orang tua siswa. Oleh karena itu, banyak permasalahan yang muncul dalam praktiknya di sekolah-sekolah PAUD, salah satunya adalah permasalahan tentang kesesuaian pendekatan dan metode pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris yang diterapkan untuk AUD. Artikel ini bertujuan untuk memaparkan kembali pendekatan-pendekatan pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris untuk AUD yang telah disampaikan oleh Professor Jack C. Richard pada halaman web-nya, dilengkapi dengan metode-metode yang dapat diimplementasikan oleh Guru PAUD. Beberapa penelitian yang terkait tentang effektivitas dari metode tersebut juga dipaparkan untuk memberikan bukti empiris dari berbagai konteks. Pada bagian akhir, kesimpulan dan saran mengenai mengenai metode ini disampaikan kepada pembaca, terutama dari kalangan praktisi PAUD dan peneliti yang tertarik pada bidang pendidikan Bahasa Inggris untuk Anak Usia Dini.<br />Kata Kunci: Pendekatan, Metode, Pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris, Anak Usia Dini.</p>

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