Peer Effects on Early Language Development in Dual Language Learners

This study investigated the vocabulary development of children (N = 547) from linguistically and socioeconomically diverse classrooms in Germany from age 3 in preschool to age 7 in Grade 1. The results showed that for dual language learners (DLLs, n = 107) growth rates in their German majority language skills varied over classrooms. Compared to monolingual children, DLLs improved faster in classrooms with higher peer-level skills in the majority language than DLLs in classrooms with lower peer-level skills (controlling for socioeconomic status and classroom quality). DLLs showed stronger growth dynamics than monolingual children during later preschool stages. The findings highlight the role of preschool peers in DLLs’ acquisition of the majority language before entering elementary school.     

The Effects of Content-Enriched Shared Book Reading Versus Vocabulary-Only Discussions on the Vocabulary Outcomes of Preschool Dual Language Learners

Research Findings: This study compared the effects of content-based shared book-reading instruction versus an explicit vocabulary-only condition on the vocabulary development of preschool dual language learners (DLLs). Using shared book reading as the mode of instruction, we randomly assigned 48 bilingual preschool teachers and 281 Spanish-speaking DLLs from their classrooms at the class level to either a content-enriched interactive book-reading intervention or a thematic content-related vocabulary-only condition. Screened using the preLAS^®, the DLLs were selected for the study based on their scores at the prefunctional and beginning levels of English proficiency. Intervention and comparison bilingual teachers implemented the assigned instructional approach in small groups, for 20 min daily, for 18 weeks. Based on the results of multilevel models, findings indicated pre- to posttest growth on taught words for each instructional condition, with no significant effects on standardized English language measures. Practice or Policy: Results suggest that preschool DLL children benefit from the systematic use of interactive content-enriched shared book-reading vocabulary instruction or direct teaching of content vocabulary when instruction integrates language interaction opportunities with higher cognitive talk and scaffolds. The vocabulary-only routine is a cost-effective approach but may not replace the broader benefits of reading books.     

Bidirectionality in Self‐Regulation and Expressive Vocabulary: Comparisons Between Monolingual and Dual Language Learners in Preschool

Significant differences in language and self‐regulation skills exist among children when they enter formal schooling. Contributing to these language differences is a growing population of dual language learners (DLLs) in the United States. Given evidence linking self‐regulatory processes and language development, this study explored bidirectional associations between English expressive vocabulary and self‐regulation skills for monolingual English and DLL preschool children (N = 250) from mixed‐income families in Los Angeles. Across three time points, findings provide initial support for bidirectionality between these developing skills for both monolinguals and DLLs. Results provide strong empirical support for vocabulary serving as a leading indicator of self‐regulation skills in preschool. Findings also suggest that early self‐regulation skills play a particularly important role for vocabulary development.     

Within and Across Language Predictors of Word Learning Processes in Dual Language Learners

This study investigated the relation between Dual Language Learners’ (N = 90) vocabulary and grammar comprehension and word learning processes in preschool (aged 3-through-5 years). Of interest was whether: (a) performance in Spanish correlated with performance in English within each domain; and (b) comprehension predicted novel word learning within and across languages. Dual-language experience was evaluated as a potential moderator. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed stronger predictive associations within each language than across languages. Across languages, results varied by experience and domain. Structural sensitivity theory suggests exposure to two languages heightens awareness of parameters along which languages vary and provides a framework for interpreting complex associations within and across languages. Knowledge from one language may influence learning in both.     

The Impact of Peer Interactions on Language Development Among Preschool English Language Learners: A Systematic Review

Early Childhood Education Journal - Studies showing that early language skills are important predictors of later academic success and social outcomes have prompted efforts to promote early language...     

学前儿童修辞性语言的出现与培养

修辞性语言代表语言运用的高位水平,修辞的运用有利于儿童认知、情感及审美的发展,并能为其社会性发展创造更为有利的情境,应将之作为儿童语言教育目标的重要组成部分。学前儿童已经能够运用真正的修辞性语言,为促进其修辞能力的发展,教师应做到顺应儿童修辞天赋与提供适当刺激的统一,引导儿童分析语言外在形式与感受内在意蕴的统一,鼓励儿童自由使用语言与培养其“择语“意识的统一。     

Effects of a Cross-Linguistic Storybook Intervention on the Second Language Development of Two Preschool English Language Learners

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a shared reading experience between parent and child in the child’s home language on the emergent literacy and language acquisition in English of preschool-age English Language Learners. Parents of Spanish-speaking four-year-old Head Start students read storybooks in Spanish with their children concurrently with the use of the English language version of the books in the classroom. A single subject design with multiple baselines across subjects and settings was applied. Observed variables included changes in the frequency of utterances, the Mean Length of Utterance-word, and the frequency of spontaneous or child-initiated utterances in various settings within the Head Start classroom. The results indicated that there might be a relation between the shared reading experience in the home language and the child’s second language acquisition. Additionally, there appeared to be a relation between the behaviors and the settings. Finally, implications of this study were discussed.     

情境教学中的“智能激活”效应探究——一项少儿英语课堂教学的质性研究

该研究以多元智能理论为理论工具,用质性研究方法,通过深入少儿英语课堂教学,捕捉典型教学案例,对情境教学过程中学生的兴奋水平和智能活跃状况进行细致观察和深入分析.研究发现,激发、调用学生相关智能,对提高并保持其较高的兴奋水平具有直接作用;对创造充满愉悦、趣味和挑战的教学环境,使学生达到理想学习状态具有特殊意义.希望为关注和研究学生兴奋水平提供有益的启示,为调动学生多元智能促进英语教学提供可供借鉴的方法.     

场依赖型学习者之语言学习策略研究

学习者、学习风格以及学习策略在外语学习中起着重要的作用,同时,彼此又互相制约与影响。本文对学习者学习风格之一的场依赖型的特点进行分析,着重讨论场依赖型学习者在选择、使用语言策略时的问题及建议。     

Going Outside in Winter: A Qualitative Study of Preschool Dressing Routines

The exploratory study focused on describing typical routines of preparing for winter outdoor play with preschool children and their teachers. Naturalistic observations, interviews and photographs resulted in extensive examples of children’s development in cognitive understanding of winter and winter-related concepts. Observations of teachers and assistants revealed task-oriented perspectives including detailed strategies and planning. Asynchronous communication and directive language were typical of teacher/child communication. Photo analyses confirmed physical skills used by preschoolers to accomplish dressing tasks and extensive curricular changes to indoor environments.     

学前儿童外语学习焦虑探析

我国学前儿童学习英语已经普及,学前儿童的情感和智力发育尚不成熟,在外语学习过程中比其他学习者更容易受外语学习焦虑的影响。为及时有效疏导学前儿童的外语学习焦虑,教学前一定要对所教学前儿童的认知和情感有充分了解,教学中要创设一个宽松愉快的学习环境,对待儿童应宽容待错、含蓄反馈,教师行为应有移情效应、威信效应和期望效应。     

幼儿教师语言教学能力的细节研究

本文从首要标准、重要标准、必要标准几方面入手,分析了幼儿教师语言教学能力的标准。在此基础上,提出模范示范、视听讲结合等一系列幼儿教师语言教学能力的优化应用路径。     

英语学习者语言学习信念稳定性研究

作为语言学习中的重要个体差异,语言学习信念是相对稳定的,但并非一成不变,而是不断发展变化的。语言学习信念受诸多因素的影响,影响语言学习信念的因素主要有两类：外部原因和内部原因。以外部原因——语言学习经历的研究为侧重点,采用焦点小组访谈,调查了英语学习者中学和大学阶段的语言学习经历以及他们在中学阶段和大学阶段对语言学习的看法。结果表明：中学和大学阶段的英语学习信念有很大的不同：英语学习信念随着语言学习经历的不同而发生变化。     

程式化语言在中国英语学习者汉译英中的使用及其特征

基于中国大学生英汉汉英口笔译语料库（PACCEL）,研究程式化语言在中国大学生汉译英中的使用并总结其特征。结果表明：1．学生的程式化语言正确运用能力与学生的翻译成绩呈显著正相关;2．学生在翻译过程中选择短语层面程式化语言的频次很高;3．高分组与低分组学生的程式化语言使用频率呈现显著差异。学生的程式化语言使用能力能够预测他们的翻译水平,应当重视程式化语言教学,提高他们的运用能力。     

Developmental Differences in Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) Reading Aloud Growth Rates Between English-Speaking Students and English Language Learners in Grade 8

The purpose of this study was to examine the developmental difference in curriculum-based measurement (CBM) reading aloud performance between Grade 8 English-speaking students and English language learners (ELLs) using two theories of reading development: compensatory model and cumulative model. Fifty non-ELLs and 133 ELLs were administered the same CBM reading aloud probes in fall, winter, and spring. The simplex model and latent growth model were used to identify the most appropriate reading model for each group. The results revealed that the compensatory model was appropriate for both groups. Limitations and educational implications are presented.     

Examining the Relationship Between Emergent Literacy Skills and Invented Spelling in Prekindergarten Spanish-Speaking Dual Language Learners

The purpose of the present study was to examine associations among English and Spanish emergent literacy skills of prekindergarten (pre-K) Spanish-speaking dual language learners in relation to their English invented spelling. Study participants included 141 Spanish-speaking 4-year-old children enrolled in state-funded pre-K programs in a large urban city located in the Southeast. All children were receiving English-only instruction. Children’s Spanish and English receptive vocabulary and code-related skills were assessed in the fall and spring of their pre-K year, but their invented spelling was assessed only in the spring. Research Findings: Analyses revealed significant correlations among children’s English and Spanish receptive vocabulary as well as English and Spanish early code-related skills in the fall and spring of the school year. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed direct contributions of children’s English vocabulary and growth in Spanish code-related skills across the year to children’s English invented spelling in the spring of the school year. This analysis also revealed that associations between children’s English code-related skills and invented spelling appear to work through Spanish code-related skills. Practice or Policy: In order to promote young dual language learners’ English invented spelling skills, early childhood educators should seek to support children’s English vocabulary and English and Spanish code-related emergent literacy skills.     

Relations of English and Heritage Language Proficiency to Response Inhibition and Attention Shifting in Dual Language Learners in Head Start

This study examined the concurrent relations of English (EL) and heritage language (HL) proficiency to executive functions (EF) among low-income dual language learners (DLLs) from immigrant families. In a sample of 90 children (age = 38–70 months) from Chinese-speaking Chinese American and Spanish-speaking Mexican American families recruited from Head Start preschools, children’s EL and HL proficiency was assessed using receptive and expressive vocabulary tests, and EF was assessed using behavioral tasks measuring response inhibition and attention shifting. Multiple regressions were conducted to test the unique and interactive relations of EL and HL vocabulary to EF, controlling for family socioeconomic status and other demographic characteristics. Higher EL and higher HL vocabulary were uniquely associated with higher attention shifting. By contrast, neither EL nor HL vocabulary was uniquely associated with response inhibition. Interaction effects of EL × HL in relation to EF were also found. The results provided some evidence for the dual benefits of EL and HL proficiency on EF (especially attention shifting) among DLLs from low-income, immigrant families.     

Second Language Play as a Representation of the Multicompetent Self in Foreign Language Study

In this article I link 3 areas that have recently attracted (renewed) interest in second language acquisition (SLA) and applied linguistics research: (a) first language (L1) use in adult foreign language study; (b) adult second language (L2) play; and (c) adult language learner identity. In mainstream approaches to SLA and utilitarian conceptualizations of foreign language learning, L1 use typically is considered detrimental to L2 acquisition; L2 play is a superfluous activity that detracts from the serious business of language learning; analyst-sensitive examinations of learner-internal mechanisms in the process of SLA are emphasized over learner-sensitive studies of the language learner's identity in sociocultural context. Recent work, however, has brought new evaluations of these 3 areas. Antón and DiCamilla (1998) have found that L1 use may function as an advantageous metacognitive tool in L2 acquisition. Both Lantolf (1997, 2000) and Tarone (2000) have recently advanced theories of form-based L2 play in which play functions in the acquisition of L2 forms. Norton (2000) has investigated the importance of learners' social identity in L2 learning and use in the context of Canadian immigration. In this article, I suggest a new role for adult form-based L2 play in SLA theorizing. This type of play may not only aid in the acquisition of L2 forms but may also serve as a textual icon for learners' growing multicompetence (i.e., the distinct state of mind with 2 or more grammars; V. Cook, 1991, 1992). Multicompetence may have meaning for learners' sense of self and their ways of interacting with the world. Multilingual form-based play with language names (e.g., "English" and "German") and syntax in the written texts of advanced tutored learners of German are examined.