Open AccessIMPACT OF READING ALOUD ON LANGUAGE ACQUISITION OF MULTILINGUAL CHILDREN
Author(s) -
Amina Asif Siddiqui,
Hina Fatima Nazir
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
pakistan journal of rehabilitation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2311-3863
pISSN - 2309-7833
DOI - 10.36283/pjr.zu.4.1/006
Subject(s) - psychology , reading aloud , vocabulary , multilingualism , language development , linguistics , comprehension , language proficiency , computer science , reading (process) , developmental psychology , mathematics education , pedagogy , philosophy
ObjectiveLanguage acquisition accounts for comprehension, interpretation,and expression of all languages in the child’s repertoire. An experimentalstudy consisting of multilingual children between 3:6 and 4:2demonstrated the impact of reading aloud on language acquisitionof L3 in the first six years of life. Children in the study spoke Pushto asfirst language (L1), Urdu as second language (L2). English wasintroduced to them as third language (L3), on joining a local school.The proficiency and correlation between the acquisition of L3 viareading out loud and its impact over a period of time on linguisticskills to be assessed, and to obtain data for the effectiveness of theactivity to enhance language acquisition of an individual exposedto multiple languages.MethodTwo experimental groups consisting of three children each wereinstructed by two speech-language therapists and one group wasexcluded of targeted stimulus. A monthly assessment was completedfor the six month duration of the study to determine change inreceptive and expressive language skills in L3.ConclusionAll children showed an average increase of 16 vocabulary words inL3. Moreover, study revealed an increase in structure and complexityof utterances. The study revealed a strong correlation betweenlinguistic exposure through reading aloud to children and theiroverall language development. The study reflects that multilingualismenhances overall language and speech development andsimultaneously aids in literacy skills.