ERIC Number: EJ1386590
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Aug
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0663
EISSN: EISSN-1939-2176
The Influence of Classroom Language Contexts on Dual Language Learners' Language Development
Lin, Tzu-Jung; Chen, Jing; Lu, Monica; Sun, Jing; Purtell, Kelly; Ansari, Arya; Justice, Laura
Journal of Educational Psychology, v115 n6 p877-890 Aug 2023
The purpose of this study was to examine how classroom language contexts characterized by peer language skills and proportions of dual language learners (DLL) influenced English language development for DLL and non-DLL children. Participants were 2,131 children from 135 classrooms across preschool through Grade 3. Children were classified into fluent bilinguals (FBs, 12%), emergent bilinguals (EBs, 13%), and non-DLL (or English monolinguals [EMs], 75%). Over an academic year, FBs experienced similar growth in expressive vocabulary compared to EMs, both of which showed more growth than EBs, suggesting a bilingual advantage. Peer language skills and DLL composition were positively associated with DLLs' and non-DLLs' language development. Although having more EBs in the classroom lowered peer language skills, the overall influence that proportion of EBs had on children's language development remained positive. These findings shed light on the heterogeneity of DLLs and the complex social process of learning underlying linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms.
Descriptors: Bilingualism, Bilingual Education, English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Native Language, Learning Processes, Cultural Pluralism, Peer Groups, Classroom Environment, Classroom Communication, Language Skills, Vocabulary Development, Expressive Language, Preschool Education, Elementary School Students, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Educational Benefits, Case Studies, Student Characteristics, Achievement Tests, Receptive Language, Comparative Analysis, Classification, Language Fluency
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education; Elementary Education; Grade 1; Primary Education; Grade 2; Grade 3
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305N160024