Language acquisition in bilingual and multilingual children and language supporting strategies used by bilingual and multilingual parents

Marketa VIDING

Bachelor's thesis

Abstract:

This bachelor thesis focuses on bilingual language acquisition and strategies that parents choose to support their children. The theoretical part provides a framework for the following research. The first chapter discusses the different components of language acquisition such as language, speech, communication, child's language development and influencing factors. The second chapter introduces bilingualism in general and shows insights of bilingual language acquisition including bilingual child development, bilingual family, influencing factors and bilingual language strategies. Based on the theoretical outline, the second part (research) aims to find out how effective the one parent one language strategy has been in the context of Czech and Finnish families raising their children bilingually, where the source of the minority language input is mainly the mother. Qualitative research in the form of a case study of three families was carried out using a semi structured interview, questionnaire and observation techniques. The findings are discussed in the analyses section and look in to the families' background, the language abilities of the parents and the children, strategies, language input and influencing factors. The conclusion of the research suggests that the one parent, one language strategy seems to be effective given the specifics of the Czech and Finish family context.

Abstract:

This bachelor thesis focuses on bilingual language acquisition and strategies that parents choose to support their children. The theoretical part provides a framework for the following research. The first chapter discusses the different components of language acquisition such as language, speech, communication, child's language development and influencing factors. The second chapter introduces bilingualism in general and shows insights of bilingual language acquisition including bilingual child development, bilingual family, influencing factors and bilingual language strategies. Based on the theoretical outline, the second part (research) aims to find out how effective the one parent one language strategy has been in the context of Czech and Finnish families raising their children bilingually, where the source of the minority language input is mainly the mother. Qualitative research in the form of a case study of three families was carried out using a semi structured interview, questionnaire and observation techniques. The findings are discussed in the analyses section and look in to the families' background, the language abilities of the parents and the children, strategies, language input and influencing factors. The conclusion of the research suggests that the one parent, one language strategy seems to be effective given the specifics of the Czech and Finish family context

Keywords

Language acquisition, bilingual and multilingual children, language supporting strategies, bilingual and multilingual parents

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 20. 4. 2022

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Mgr. Adéla Hanáková, Ph.D.

Palacký University Olomouc

Faculty of Education

Bachelor programme / field:
Special Education / Preschool Special Needs Education Teaching - Nursery School Teacher Training