windesheim early english. bilingual education in a linguistically homogeneous environment. by carly...
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Windesheim
Early English
Bilingual education in a linguistically homogeneous environment.
by Carly KleinThe Netherlands
Programme
Acquiring mother tongue, a second or third language, how?
Bilingualism, advantages (and disadvantages) of bilingual education
Language acquisition, successive or simultaneous
Acquiring mother tongue, a second or third language, how?
Mother Tongue
Input influences sound perception/observation
< 6 months universal
reacts to sounds from different languages
> 6 months specific language
reacts to own sound system
First years of a child’s life
Learning development of memory
Language input feeding the memory
Both vocabulary, grammar, rules of a language
Stimulating language use
Listen first to the child and then use this information for communication
Expanding meaning of words Modelling and correcting of words Reading Singing
What you should not do!
Have children repeat what you say.
Have children name some objects e.g. in a book
Bilingualism, advantages (and disadvantages) of bilingual education
What is bilingualism?
The use of more than one language
The ability to communicate naturally and fluently in more than one language in all areas of life
(Somewhere in between this we want to see our children, this development is a process)
Benefits of bilingualism
Communication advantages: it helps building relationships
Cultural advantages: a broader cultural understanding
Cognitive advantages: it supports cognitive flexibility
Personal advantages: it raises self esteem
Language acquisition, successive or simultaneous
Bilingualism
Simultaneous language acquisition
0-7 years of age: 2 languages at the same time
law of Grammont
Successive language acquisition
>10 years of age: learning a 2nd language
Cummins hypothesis (Iceberg)
Simultaneous language acquisition
0-7 years of age 2 or more languages on offer Spontaneous process No language/grammar/pronunciation lessons Reading, rhyming, singing, naming
Law of Grammont
Each parent should speak his/her own language
Clear situation
Clear moment
Successive language acquisition > 10 years of age
Translation process
Thinking process
Cummins hypothesis (Iceberg theory)
The theory is that the second language will make use of the first language, the mother tongue. For this the level and skills of the first language are essential.
Research in Brussels
Positive results of bilingualism can be seen on brainscans. Researchers gave children simple assignments. The scans show a significant difference between monolinguals and bilinguals.
Brains of the monolinguals show a clear effort, while the brain of bilinguals show no effort at all. The brain activity of children who attend bilingual schools lies somewhere in between those extremes.
This proves that bilingualism has a favourable effect on the brain capacity.
All in all:
Bilingualism is worthwhile when: offered spontaneously taught by the same person situated at clear moments taught by qualified teachers
Just do it!
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