8 Flashcards
How many children in the world are bilingual
2/3
How many children in the uk are bilingual
39%
Can children learn a second language quickly and effortlessly? what factor is critical.
Input is limited in each language.
Speed of language acquisition depends on amount of input in each language.
Code-switching is an integral part of the multilingual language experience. True/False
True
What is normal bilingual language development?
A big range of what is considered typical development!
difficult to decide whether there are reasons for concern (especially when a multilingual child appears to speak less English than other
children)
Define sequential language learner
Learn one language after the other
How determine language difficulty in a sequential language learner?
if the child is not
meeting early communication milestones in their first language
How many years might it take for a sequential bilingual child to reach similar oral language
competency as a monolingual child.
How quickly do early language skills develop?
5-7 years
6months - 2years
Research shows that acquiring two languages does not affect their (2)
cognitive and non-cognitive skills of young children, such as their
ability to recognise objects, match pictures, or their responsiveness
and behaviour in everyday situations.
Research shows that acquiring two languages does temporarily affect their (1)
although this disappears before the age of xx
It does temporarily affect their knowledge of vocabulary in the second
language.
this disadvantage disappears before the age of five
Strategies for parents to support their multilingual child
Read often - use picture books or tell stories.
Play in first language
Sing songs in first language
Multilingual milestones
Receptive language
0-2months
Recognition and preference for native language(s) as well
as mother’s voice
Multilingual milestones
Receptive language
2-5months
Can categorize speech sounds, recognize syllables, and
detect changes in intonation.
Multilingual milestones
Receptive language
5-8months
5-8 months: Preference for ‘parentese.’ Has categorized the vowels of
the native tongue(s)
Multilingual milestones Receptive language
8-12 months:
8-12 months: Starts to link objects to sounds
Multilingual milestones
12-24months
12-24 months: The second year is all about words and linking words to
objects. Just as with monolinguals, this is a highly individual phase à
lots of variation in children’s progress
Multilingual milestones
24-36months
24-36 months: Now the child is sorting out the grammar and increasing
the vocabulary by leaps and bounds. She may be slightly delayed
How does brain categorise speech sounds?
‘use it or lose it’
The brain effectively prunes out the neighboring, similar sounds and
creates highly distinct ‘buckets’ for the sounds of the native language(s)
Cross cultural study: German/English vowel production at 10months
As early as 10 months: distinct differences in their sounds can be detected. English speakers produce more “eeh” vowels, while German babies produce more vowels with pursed lips like in “über” etc.
Why should parents speak first language to child? (3)
Parents provide optimal linguistc stimulation for their child and support cultural identity by speaking their home language
Children with a strong first language base learn a second language more easily
Preschool children with strong language skills in their first
language do better at school with reading and writing
Why is assessing multilingual children difficult? (4)
Most standardised tests are normed to monolingual speakers, therefore,
although informative to a degree, are not conclusive
Items on the test may not be applicable or appropriate across cultures
to obtain an accurate picture of the individual, all
their languages should be tested. The comparability of the tests in
different languages is important.
Acceptability of language mixing and switching during the testing
sessions and consequent decisions about scoring
