ERIC Number: EJ1130501
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1523-5882
EISSN: N/A
Differentiated Rates of Growth across Preschool Dual Language Learners
Lambert, Richard G.; Kim, Do-Hong; Durham, Sean; Burts, Diane C.
Bilingual Research Journal, v40 n1 p81-101 2017
This study illustrates why preschool children who are dual language learners (DLLs) are not a homogeneous group. An empirically developed model of preschool DLL subgroups, based on latent class analysis, was presented. The model reflects three separate subgroups of DLL children present in many classrooms where DLL children are served: Bilinguals, Emergent Bilinguals, and Heritage Language Speakers. Differences in standard scores based on teacher ratings of the developmental progress of preschool children were detected between the DLL subgroups and, relative to non-DLLs, at the beginning and throughout the preschool year. Differences were also found among classrooms having varying concentrations of DLLs. These findings highlight the importance of classroom composition to the development and learning of all children and suggest that policy makers and administrators should strive for classrooms that represent balanced diversity considering DLL status, race, ethnicity, economic status, and children with special needs.
Descriptors: Preschool Children, Bilingualism, Heritage Education, Second Language Learning, Language Acquisition, Models, Student Diversity, Student Characteristics, Native Language, Educational Policy, Class Size, Individualized Education Programs, Race, Ethnicity, Gender Differences, Lunch Programs, Teaching Methods, Family Environment, Language Usage, Spanish, English (Second Language), Scores, Statistical Analysis, Student Evaluation, Formative Evaluation, Observation, Hierarchical Linear Modeling, Surveys
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A