Effects of Bilingualism on Language Acquisition
Bilingual children have the ability to speak more than one language proficiently. There are a number of reasons why a child may have this ability. It is possible they moved to a place with a different primary language and as a result they had to learn another language on top of their primary language spoken at home. It is possible they have parents that speak multiple languages and picked up the languages from them. Their parents may have wanted their child to be bilingual and therefore made a conscience effort to teach their child two languages. They may have to learn another language to speak to their relatives. Whatever the reason, these children benefit from learning two languages. They become more culturally aware and have a larger range of people they can talk to.
Schools tend to start the teaching of a second language in late elementary school. Recent studies have shown that is not the most efficient time to learn. Language should be taught during early childhood because that is the prime time for children that is most advantageous. Early childhood is a sensitive period for language development. It is a time when grammar and pronunciation is easier to develop.
There has been controversy over whether students should be taught a second language and at what point in their lives they should be taught the second language. Some think that teaching a child a second language will only confuse them and hinder their learning of their primary language. Despite this argument, it is actually beneficial for children to be bilingual and the earlier they learn, the better!
Schools tend to start the teaching of a second language in late elementary school. Recent studies have shown that is not the most efficient time to learn. Language should be taught during early childhood because that is the prime time for children that is most advantageous. Early childhood is a sensitive period for language development. It is a time when grammar and pronunciation is easier to develop.
There has been controversy over whether students should be taught a second language and at what point in their lives they should be taught the second language. Some think that teaching a child a second language will only confuse them and hinder their learning of their primary language. Despite this argument, it is actually beneficial for children to be bilingual and the earlier they learn, the better!
Terms
Here are some terms that are helpful when talking about bilingualism:
balance bilingual- proficient in two languages and does not favor one
code switching- when a bilingual person can switch languages and can judge whether to do so based on the context
pragmatics- formal/informal language, understanding what is appropriate and where it is appropriate
bilingual paradox- the idea that learning two languages at an early can have both positive and negative effects on a child
balance bilingual- proficient in two languages and does not favor one
code switching- when a bilingual person can switch languages and can judge whether to do so based on the context
pragmatics- formal/informal language, understanding what is appropriate and where it is appropriate
bilingual paradox- the idea that learning two languages at an early can have both positive and negative effects on a child
A study in bilingual language acquisition...
The Journal of Child Language conducted a study compared two groups of children learning two languages at the same time. The first group of three children learned French and French Sign language. The second group of three children learned French and English. These groups were observed by being filmed for a year.
The purpose of this study was to dismiss the argument that children learning two languages would fall behind in one or both. The study wanted to better understand the 'bilingual paradox'. The bilingual paradox is described as the child's caregivers can either stand by and be amazed as their child masters two languages or they can fear that their child will have a "developmental language delay" our of confusion of trying to learn two languages (JCL). Being able to understand the bilingual paradox would impact the way language is taught in schools.
The results were able to do so, the study "revealed that both groups achieved their early linguistic milestones in each of their languages at the same time" and were able to learn "number of semantically corresponding words in each of their two languages from their very first words or signs" while being able to switch to the appropriate language depending on the situation (JCL).
The study also questioned if a child would have a preferred language despite learning both at the same rate. The results were that a child could switch to the appropriate language depending on the adult they were talking to. Children who lived in a home with one of the languages did seem to prefer that language.
The overall conclusion was that bilingualism at an early age does not cause any delay or confusion for the child.
The purpose of this study was to dismiss the argument that children learning two languages would fall behind in one or both. The study wanted to better understand the 'bilingual paradox'. The bilingual paradox is described as the child's caregivers can either stand by and be amazed as their child masters two languages or they can fear that their child will have a "developmental language delay" our of confusion of trying to learn two languages (JCL). Being able to understand the bilingual paradox would impact the way language is taught in schools.
The results were able to do so, the study "revealed that both groups achieved their early linguistic milestones in each of their languages at the same time" and were able to learn "number of semantically corresponding words in each of their two languages from their very first words or signs" while being able to switch to the appropriate language depending on the situation (JCL).
The study also questioned if a child would have a preferred language despite learning both at the same rate. The results were that a child could switch to the appropriate language depending on the adult they were talking to. Children who lived in a home with one of the languages did seem to prefer that language.
The overall conclusion was that bilingualism at an early age does not cause any delay or confusion for the child.
Bilingual students
An area of concern when it comes to education may be bilingual students. If a student grows up speaking one language, will learning in their nonnative language be difficult?
If the child is taught the new language while still in early childhood, this will not be a hard transition for them. Early childhood is a sensitive period for language and therefore the new language can be picked up easier. Early childhood is a time when learning new things related to language is advantageous for the child because their brain is fully equipped for it.
If a child has to learn in a new language past the time of early childhood, this will be more difficult for them. This can confuse them because not only are they learning new information but they are learning a new language and having to translate all the information.
Another factor to consider is home life. A student who is struggling to learn the new language will have a more difficult time if their family at home is still speaking their primary language. The child must be able to practice their new language. If they are surrounded by people who do not speak what they speak at school, it may be hard for them to adjust.
This is why bilingual students need extra support. Students who are passed the time of early childhood and are transitioning to a new language, need support from teachers and the school. Programs that assist in learning the language and helping the student comprehend is important.
If the child is taught the new language while still in early childhood, this will not be a hard transition for them. Early childhood is a sensitive period for language and therefore the new language can be picked up easier. Early childhood is a time when learning new things related to language is advantageous for the child because their brain is fully equipped for it.
If a child has to learn in a new language past the time of early childhood, this will be more difficult for them. This can confuse them because not only are they learning new information but they are learning a new language and having to translate all the information.
Another factor to consider is home life. A student who is struggling to learn the new language will have a more difficult time if their family at home is still speaking their primary language. The child must be able to practice their new language. If they are surrounded by people who do not speak what they speak at school, it may be hard for them to adjust.
This is why bilingual students need extra support. Students who are passed the time of early childhood and are transitioning to a new language, need support from teachers and the school. Programs that assist in learning the language and helping the student comprehend is important.