ERIC Number: EJ1435753
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 14
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7522
A Better Start to Literacy for Bilingual Children in New Zealand: Findings from an Exploratory Case Study in Te Reo Maori and English
Amanda Denston; Rachel Martin; Gail Gillon; John Everatt
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v27 n8 p1085-1098 2024
This article details findings from an exploratory case study that examined the efficacy of a phonological awareness and vocabulary programme with children educated in a bilingual immersion context of English and te reo Maori (Maori language) in Aotearoa New Zealand. The current paper discusses changes in the development of early literacy skills in English and te reo Maori in two groups of children aged from 5 years 0 months to 7 years 5 months. Twenty-six children from two bilingual classrooms in a rural school participated in a programme implemented by teachers over 15 weeks. The programme included explicit instruction in phonological awareness and vocabulary. One classroom was from Level 1 te reo Maori immersion, and one was from Level 3 te reo Maori/English. Results were analysed at cohort and class levels. Analyses indicated that both groups of children significantly improved in phonological awareness skills, non-word reading, and expressive vocabulary. Correlational analyses indicated that growth in te reo Maori skills was positively associated with growth in English skills. These findings suggest that further investigation into how the explicit teaching of te reo Maori can benefit the development of phonological awareness and print-related skills in English.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Young Children, Immersion Programs, Bilingual Education, Malayo Polynesian Languages, English, Case Studies, Rural Schools, Phonological Awareness, Reading Skills, Expressive Language
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New Zealand
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A