Language Immersion Programs for Young Children? Yes . . . but Proceed with Caution

Phi Delta Kappa International. 408 North Union Street, P.O. Box 789, Bloomington, IN 47402-1789. Tel: 800-766-1156; Fax: 812-339-0018; e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: http://www.pdkintl.org/publications/pubshome.htm

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Immersion Programs; Young Children; Developmental Delays; Bilingualism; Chinese; English (Second Language); Second Language Learning; International Schools; Language Fluency; Second Language Instruction; Cognitive Ability; Metalinguistics; Language Aptitude; Bilingual Education Programs; Foreign Countries; Educational Benefits

0031-7217

A dual immersion program in Chinese and English at the 3e International School in Beijing is helping children become fluent in both languages, even though many students spoke neither language when they entered the school. Children enter the program as young as two years old. Studies indicate that bilingual children have higher levels of cognitive flexibility than unilingual children, bilingual children become more aware of the meta-linguistic structures of language, and young children are fully able to handle bilingualism without becoming developmentally delayed in language. Dual language immersion programs must be carefully constructed and monitored and must provide best practice in skill building and language training.

As Provided

16

2010

EJ888669