Bilingual and Multilingual Development
Concurrent Teaching of Two Related Languages, specifically of English and Italian, in the Same Classroom Scientific research
Overview
- Author: Chliaras, Paschalis
- Key words: Bilingualism; crosslinguistic influence; foreign language acquisition; language learning; multilingualism; metalinguistic awareness
- Publication date: 1 September 2012
Source: Journal of Bilingual and Multilingual Development
Vol. No: 1
Year: 2012
Publisher: Edizioni La Creazione
Format: Online Journal
Licence / Copyright: Edizioni La Creazione. All rights reserved.
Submission Date:
- Bilingual and Multilingual Development
- Copyright © Edizioni La Creazione 2012
- Published online 1 September 2012
Table of contents
Scientific research
Concurrent Teaching of Two Related Languages, specifically of English and Italian, in the Same Classroom
Chliaras, Paschalis
Abstract
This contribution reports on both a qualitative and quantitative studies conducted with 11 young Greek children, to explore their multilingual practices, and their simultaneous acquisition of English and Italian in the same classroom. For research purposes, a series of lessons was conducted in January 2010. Indeed, English and Italian were taught concurrently in the same classroom where some instructions were delivered in Greek (students’ mother tongue). The basis of the lessons focused on the morphological similarity of English and Italian words and programmed instruction (linear / branching programme) was implemented. The main goal of this research is to fulfill one of the objectives set by the European Commission*, to identify, by means of studies, priority areas for the investment of resources, to disseminate information on modern and innovative language learning methods and therefore to help to motivate the public. This method will encourage multilingualism and benefit multicultural awareness.