Topic III: English language development Sessions
Foundations of Second Language Acquisition in Early Childhood
Children who are English learners bring a wealth of knowledge to the early childhood classroom. To support English language and literacy development, teachers will need to understand second language acquisition, identify what these children know and use specific teaching strategies, individualized interaction approaches and enhanced environments. (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1). More
Preschool English Learners, Their Families and Their Communities
The education of children who are English learners is enhanced when preschool programs and families form meaningful relationships. Through these relationships teachers create a bridge between home and school language and literacy practices (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1). More
listening
Promoting English language development requires deliberate and intentional instructional practices that help the young child to hear the sounds of the second language (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1). More
speaking
Young children who are English learners are hearing the sounds of English, familiarizing themselves with words in English and learning how words go together in phrases and short sentences. For children to practice this new language, they need to be in a comfortable and welcoming environment that allows language experimentation and accepts children’s efforts to communicate. (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1). More
reading
Six critical elements have been identified as key for English learners as they move toward literacy in English: appreciation and enjoyment of reading and literature, increased understanding of book reading, understanding of print conventions, awareness that print carries meaning, progress in English alphabet knowledge, and phonological awareness (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1). More
writing
Environments that encourage writing acknowledge that young children are attempting to gain control over the language’s symbol system by making sense of the marks on the paper and approximating those marks (California Preschool Curriculum Framework, Volume 1) More