A_Chapter+4

=How Children Acquire Language=

July 5, 2012 (Tim Conrad): Remember Snow and Penny that you can click on the discussion button at the top of this page to post your assignments. Snow, it is true that we can approximate simultaneous, two-language learning with early dual-language programs, although even DL programs start after a child has already learned his/her language before age 6. In some countries, such as China, more children learn two or more languages simultaneously from birth, although even then they might not be "balanced bilinguals" because one of the languages might be used for home, family, and friends, while another might be developed for school or business and so on. I would guess most balanced-bilinguals acquiring two languages simultaneously have bilingual parents and also many of the daily opportunities you mention to keep developing bost languages into broader areas such as school/academic language, business, and so on.

Sn-Smith Chapter 4 Simultaneous language acquisition suggests that children can learn more than one language at the same time, especially before age 3. As a second grade dual immersion teacher, I do believe a child’s potential for learning a new language at their young age is high. However, as the author mentioned in chapter 3, consistency plays an important role, while in the process of mastering a second language. The reason most Chinese are at least bilingual is because there is need and consistency in using the second language in their life. On the other hand, if dual immersion students stop creating the environment they need for the second language, then the second language skills they have learned will not only stop progressing but also fade away.