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ERIC Number: EJ862602
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Nov
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: N/A
Bilingual Education in an Aboriginal Context: Examining the Transfer of Language Skills from Inuktitut to English or French
Usborne, Esther; Caouette, Julie; Qumaaluk, Qiallak; Taylor, Donald M.
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v12 n6 p667-684 Nov 2009
Bilingual education is thought to be one of the principal means of simultaneously revitalizing threatened language and preparing students for success in mainstream society. However, little research has examined, in a comprehensive and longitudinal fashion, bilingual programs in Aboriginal contexts. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to conduct a longitudinal analysis of the language skills of 110 Inuit students participating in an Inuktitut-English/French program in a remote Arctic community. Students' skills in English or French improved from Grades 4-6, after a switch to second language instruction; whereas, their skills in Inuktitut showed no significant improvement across these grades. Baseline heritage language skills in Grade 3 were found to be predictive of later success in both the heritage and mainstream languages, providing evidence for cross-language transfer and pointing to the pivotal importance of heritage language instruction for Aboriginal students. (Contains 3 notes, 5 tables, and 3 figures.)
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Grade 3; Grade 4
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A