TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

Children from Culturally and linguistically diverse

backgrounds

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

The children in your care will be

1. mono-lingual (speak one language)or

2. bi-lingual ( speak 2 languages) or

3. multi-lingual (speak 2 or more languages)

Sign language is considered another language

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

Types and degrees of bilingualism/multilinguilism:• Balanced: Bilinguals who are fully competent in both

languages and can function well in all activities without any interference from the other language

• Additive: Bilingual whose languages are viable and useful. This happens when society views it as positive and enriching

• Subtractive: Bilingual minorities who at the expense of learning a second language, gradually and eventually lose the first language

• Receptive: Bilinguals who have a receptive knowledge of another language but cannot speak or write it. Many children in Australia from NESB grow up as receptive bilinguals

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

How do children become bilingual?

• Simultaneous bilingualism: Child acquires 2 languages from birth (usually before aged 3)

• Successive bilingualism: Child has acquired the first language before learning the second language

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

What are the advantages of learning a second (or third) language?

• Learning a second language provides a number of advantages, not only for the individual, but society itself.

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

Communication advantages

1. Wider communication (extended family, community, international links, employment)

2. Literacy in two languages

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

Cultural advantages

1. Broader cultural understanding and multicultural sensitivity, “two language worlds of experience” (Baker, 2000)Greater tolerance and social harmony

2. Strengthens the cultural link between child and home language community

3. Strengthens family cohesion through the use of home language as a vehicle for passing on traditions, values, family/cultural stories.

4. Maintains the child’s ability to communicate with extended family/community

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

Cognitive advantages

1. Thinking benefits (creativity, sensitivity to communication)

2. Cognitive flexibility – flexibility in thinking and learning and formation of concepts.

3. Greater problem-solving and analytical skills

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

Personal advantages

• Raised self-esteem

• Greater self identity

• Flexibility and adaptability

• Confidence in social interactions

• Greater interpersonal skills

TAFE Illawarra Institute

Child and Family Studies

• The child must be encouraged to speak in their own language

• It assists their learning of concepts. Children can learn new concepts more easily if they are explained in their own language first.

• It reinforces the first language and culture, so that children are able to master reading and writing in their own language first, thus being better prepared to learn the formal grammar and spelling of a second language.

• It is important also for their self esteem.• Young children have the capacity to learn a language

very easily if they are exposed to a language in everyday situations