Status, Needs, and Challenges: A Questionnaire of Early Childhood Teachers for Chinese Dual Language Learners

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: Early Childhood Workforce Issues

Abstract

Understanding how the ECE workforce is equipped to address dual language learners’ (DLLs) needs is critical for DLLs’ development. Here we focus on a significant and growing, yet understudied population – the Chinese DLLs. Using a teacher questionnaire, we address three questions: 1) who are teaching the Chinese DLLs? 2) what do the teachers of Chinese DLLs know about dual language development and the best practices that support it? And 3) what are the resources and practices in the classrooms of Chinese DLLs? The current study is the first to our knowledge that investigates the ECE workforce serving Chinese DLLs. It identifies both the strengths and the many challenges faced by the teachers.

Authors

• Lulu Song, The City University of New York - Brooklyn College

• Mayra Baldi, New York City Department of Education

• Eva Liang

• Rufan Luo, Rutgers University - Camden