Learning English Through Educational Media: Drawing From Children's Linguistic Repertoires

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Vocabulary and Language Development for Emergent Bilinguals

Abstract

The current study investigates how the language of instruction in educational media might influence kindergarteners’ L2 learning. Drawing from theories of dual-coding, linguistic interdependence, and dynamic bilingualism, this study investigates the experiences of four children. Viewing the program Ni-hao Kai Lan with and without L1 supports, children were asked to define the three new vocabulary words from the program, retell the story, and share about their viewing experiences. Following a qualitative, inductive analysis of transcripts, findings indicate children had an awareness that L1 supports were used, insight on how L1 supports facilitated L2 learning, and had varying experiences based on their English language proficiency. Implications for the role of home language supports in media and the classroom will be discussed.

Author

• Kevin M. Wong, Pepperdine University