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Language Development for Bilingual Children

Language Development for Bilingual Children. Christine Cordina Churchfields Language Facility. What do we mean by bilingualism?. “Bilingualism is simply about [the use of] two languages” […] regardless of ability and proficiency. (Baker , 2006:2-3). Are all bilinguals the same?.

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Language Development for Bilingual Children

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  1. Language Development for Bilingual Children Christine Cordina Churchfields Language Facility

  2. What do we mean by bilingualism?

  3. “Bilingualism is simply about [the use of] two languages” […] regardless of ability and proficiency.(Baker, 2006:2-3).

  4. Are all bilinguals the same? • Simultaneous bilingual: the acquisition of two languages together from birth, but before the age of three. • Sequential bilingual: when a child learns a second language after about three years of age. It is helpful to make a distinction between learning the second language in pre-school and in the school years.

  5. How long does it take to become bilingual?

  6. For children who start learning a second language after school admission: • Fluency in everyday conversation within two years. • BUT it may be a long time – it took between five and seven years in one study before they caught up with average monolingual children on measures of cognitive / academic language proficiency.

  7. This is important in understanding bilingual children with alleged learning difficulties. • If a child appears relatively fluent in English, academic problems may be attributed to underlying learning difficulties rather than lack of appropriate language skills.

  8. Possible issues Bilingualism is not a Special Educational Need BUT It is expected that the same proportion of bilingual children as monolingual children will experience speech, language and communication needs.

  9. Good practice • The home language is important. Encourage parents to continue to speak their native language to their children. • The communication friendly classroom. • Carry out an induction for new arrivals and get as much information as possible about previous schooling and attainment and language proficiency. • Do not overload new arrivals with too much direct teaching of English. • Value and celebrate the languages in your school.

  10. More information • London Special Interest Group (SIG) Bilingualism: http://www.londonsigbilingualism.co.uk/development.html NALDIC – National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum http://www.naldic.org.uk/eal-teaching-and-learningNational Literacy Trust http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/our_network/our_current_network_theme/previous_network_themes/previous_network_theme_supporting_eal Newbury Park Language of the Month http://www.newburyparkschool.net/langofmonth/

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