Ecological Perspectives in Early Language Education: Parent, Teacher, Peer, and Child Agency in Interaction

This book explores ecological perspectives in early language education, emphasizing the interactions between child language-based agency, teachers agency, peers agency, and parents agency. It explores teachers and family strategies and practices to enhance children's interest in home language maintenance and enrichment, considering international evidence of diverse languages in education. Collaboration between teachers, families, peers, and the environment is crucial for early language learning and the development of the child's potential as an agent in a novel language learning.

Format: Hardback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into ecological perspectives on early language education, offering a rich understanding of the intricate interactions between child language-based agency, teachers' agency, peers' agency, and parents' agency. By exploring these dynamics, the book provides invaluable insights into the lives of young children growing up in multilingual homes.

Drawing on extensive empirical research, the book examines teachers' and family strategies and practices aimed at fostering children's interest in maintaining and enriching their home language as well as in acquiring new languages. It defines early language education as encompassing the education of children up to the age of 6 and takes into account international evidence of children's language from diverse sociolinguistic backgrounds, including indigenous, endangered, heritage, regional, minority, majority, and marginalized languages, as well as foreign and second languages in education at home and in out-of-home settings.

The book asserts that the collaborative efforts of teachers, families, peers, and the broader environment are essential for engaging children in early language learning and enabling them to fully realize their potential as agents of language learning. It emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment that promotes language development and encourages children to explore and express their identities through language.

This book is of immense interest to researchers, academics, and postgraduate students in the fields of language education, multilingualism, applied linguistics, and early childhood education. It offers valuable insights and practical strategies for educators, policymakers, and practitioners working with multilingual children and families. The volume's comprehensive coverage and interdisciplinary approach make it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance early language learning outcomes and promote linguistic diversity and equity.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032193083