ERIC Number: EJ1024853
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0965-8416
EISSN: N/A
Early Childhood Educators' Competences for Supporting Children's Academic Language Skills in Germany
Michel, Marije; Ofner, Daniela; Thoma, Dieter
Language Awareness, v23 n1-2 p137-156 2014
This study investigates early childhood educators' language training competence that is required to support children's linguistic development. Hundred and forty-four early-years-professionals in Germany completed a computer-based assessment. We first tested knowledge of linguistic topics (e.g. morpho-syntax, developmental stages). Second, we probed their ability to make relevant linguistic observations in videotaped child-educator interactions. Third, we asked them to select adequate language interventions for the observed child. The participants' knowledge and observing ability scores were slightly above 50% but they scored low in selecting effective interventions. More detailed analyses indicate that those with a higher level of secondary education outperformed low-educated early-years-professionals. Only those with intensive specialist training were better equipped to choose appropriate intervention methods. We discuss the results in light of the current German and (inter-) national practice of early childhood educators' professional training and suggest a greater emphasis on linguistics and language awareness in their education.
Descriptors: Preschool Teachers, Scores, Teacher Student Relationship, Intervention, Language Acquisition, Child Language, Foreign Countries, Computer Assisted Testing, Language Tests, Morphology (Languages), Syntax, Child Development, Developmental Stages, Video Technology, Secondary Education, Educational Attainment, Metalinguistics, Faculty Development, Preschool Children, Child Caregivers, Multilingualism, Second Language Learning, Correlation, Teacher Education, Surveys, Multivariate Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Preschool Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Germany
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A