Open AccessThe Distributed L1 and L2 Language-Learning Environments of Dual Language Learners Across Home and School Settings
Author(s) -
Pui Fong Kan,
Annaliese Miller,
Shirley Cheung,
Angela Kathryn Brickman
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
language, speech and hearing services in schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.097
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1558-9129
pISSN - 0161-1461
DOI - 10.1044/2020_lshss-19-00112
Subject(s) - coding (social sciences) , language acquisition , psychology , dual language , computer science , audio equipment , mathematics education , statistics , mathematics , electrical engineering , engineering
Purpose This study explored the language-learning environments of typically developing dual language learners (DLLs) who learned Cantonese (first language [L1]) at home and English (second language [L2]) in preschool settings through direct and indirect measures. Method Nine typically developing Cantonese-English DLLs participated in this study. Participants' daylong activities were audio-recorded using the digital language processor of the Language ENvironment Analysis system. A manual coding scheme was developed to examine the audio recordings with the focus of the amount of L1 and L2 used by participants, adults, and their peers across home and school settings. In addition, participants' language use was indirectly examined using parent questionnaires, teacher reports, and classroom observations. Results The results of the audio recordings showed that Cantonese was the primary language used at home, and both Cantonese and English were used in school settings, consistent with the parent and teacher reports. Correlation analyses revealed that the amount of L1 used by the participants was associated with the L1 used by their peers: and the amount of L2 used by participants was positively related to the L2 used by adults at home. Conclusions The findings illustrate how parent/teacher reports and daylong audio recordings could complement each other in the investigation of DLLs' language-learning environments.