Strategies to Support Native Spanish Language Acquisition and English Development Among Preschoolers

• In Event: Instructional Approaches in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

In efforts to support DLL (Dual Language Learners) preschoolers’ long-term academic success, some early childhood programs have adopted language instruction models that support the continued development of DLLs’ home languages. This mixed-methods study examined the impact of Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL) strategies designed to support both English Language Development (ELD) and maintenance and development of the home language, Spanish. Test scores from 535 preschool children, ages 3-5, from four California preschool organizations were analyzed with a series of chi-squares tests of independence and 2 x 2 repeated measures ANOVAs. A supervisory staff interview was also conducted. Results are mixed but support positive outcomes for POLL and Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs.

Authors

• Lupe Jaime-Mileham, CA State University Fresno

• Susan M. Tracz, California State University - Fresno

• Christina V. Luna, California State University - Fresno

• Matilda Theresa Soria, California State University - Fresno