Book chapter
Challenges of foreign language learning in early childhood
Global language policies and local educational practices and cultures, pp.142-156
Deep University Press
2016
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Abstract
The early childhood years represent a critical period in learning and development. At this age, children are very receptive to learning a second language. Ideally, for effective language learning to occur, a stimulating and rich linguistic environment is required. Thus, children need to be given many opportunities to be actively engaged and interact with others. This can be quite a challenge in the foreign language classroom, as typically children learning in this context have little exposure to the language outside of the classroom. One way to remedy this is to utilise the new technologies to enhance learning by giving children opportunities to interact and engage with native speakers. This article will review different aspects of foreign language teaching/learning in the early childhood years, with the aim of outlining an innovative program to teach Mandarin Chinese and English using interactive digital technologies. These technologies can be used to establish collaborative partnerships between early childhood classrooms and native speakers of the respective languages.
Details
- Title
- Challenges of foreign language learning in early childhood
- Creators
- Heather Winskel - Southern Cross UniversityJing ZhouZhang Chun LiGao Xiao MeiEdwina PeartKatie Booth
- Contributors
- Shirley O'Neill (Editor of compilation)Henriette van Rensburg (Editor of compilation)
- Publication Details
- Global language policies and local educational practices and cultures, pp.142-156
- Publisher
- Deep University Press; Blue Mounds, Wisconsin
- Identifiers
- 3060; 991012820973502368
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health; School of Health and Human Sciences; Human Sciences
- Resource Type
- Book chapter