SOME KEY CONCEPTS IN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT Non-Verbal Period When learning a new language, there is often a period of time during which the young learner will not speak. This is a very active time in the child’s brain as they begin to construct a model of the language. Code-Switching It is perfectly natural during language development for young learners to mix their languages. This is not a sign of confusion, but rather an indication that they are using all their available resources to communicate. Formulaic Speech Young learners often start by mimicking common and repetitious phrases without fully understanding what they mean.This is a natural step in language development. MILESTONES IN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT First words in Second Langage This can take 3-4 months of immersion in the second language. Capacity for Interaction in Second Language Usually this develops rapidly during the 2nd year of immersion. Academic Functioning in Second language This can take up to 5-7 years of immersion in the second language. SOME FURTHER READING Garcia, O. (2009) Bilingual Education in the 21st Century Bialystok, E. (2001) Bilingualism in Development KEY CONCEPTS IN LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT © Verenigde Scholen J.A. Alberdingk Thijm Creating authentic contexts for the use of language, which stimulate a desire to communicate, is central to our approach to language development. • Y o u n g l e a r n e r s w i l l m i x D u t c h a n d E n g l i s h ; t h i s is n o r m a l t h i s i s a n a t u r a l p a r t o f l a n g u a g e d e v e l o p m e n t • Y o u n g l e a r n e r s m a y b e s i l e n t f o r a n u m b e r o f m o n t h s ; a n u m b e r o f m o n t h s ; t h i s i s n o r m a l • Y o u n g l e a r n e r s m a y r e s p o n d i n D u t c h f o r e x p e c t a t i o n s . Y o u n g l e a r n e r s n e e d t i m e . W e n e e d t o h a v e h i g h , bu t r e a li s t i c t o e x p e r i m e n t w i t h w r i t i n g • A l a n g u a g e a r e a w i t h o p p o r t u n i t i e s • L a n g u a g e s i n d i f f e r e n t c o l o u r s • B i l i n g u al s i g n s • A w e l l - s t o c k e d b i l i n g u a l l i b r a r y b y l a n g u a g e , s u c h a s : Y o u n g l e a r n e r s s h o u l d b e s u r r o u n d e d • M o d e l th e c o rr e c t la n g u a g e • R e c a s t a n d r e p ea t f r o m e x p li c it c o r r e c ti o n o f l a n g u a g e . I n s t e a d : Y o u n g l e a r n e r s u n d e r 1 0 d o n ’ t l e a r n • “ N o , I c a n n o t it d o .” “ O h , y o u c a n n o t d o it.” Y o u n g l e a r n e r s n e e d c o n s t a n t o p p o r t un i t ie s t o s p e a k , c o m m u n i c a t e a n d e x p e r i m e n t w it h l a n g u a g e . • C r e a t e m e a n i n g f u l c o n t e x t s w h e r e yo u n g l e a r n e r s w a n t t o c o m m un ic a t e • Y o u n g l e a r n e r s s h o u l d b e t a l k i n g i n s t e a d o f p a s s i v e l y l is t e n i n g Y o u n g l e a r n e r s n e e d t o b e e x p o s e d t o a hi g h • D o n ’ t s i m p lif y , t e a c h e r s s h o u l d q u a n tit y o f h ig h q u a lit y l an g u a g e . r e p e a t i n d if f e r e n t w a y s • M a k e me a n i n g c le a r t h r o u g h g e s t u r e s an d v i s u a l a i d s • R e a d t o t h e y o u n g l e a r n e r s o f t e n