The age factor and early language learning (Mouton de Gruyter, 2009)
Includes bibliographical references and index
The age factor in context / Marianne Nikolov -- Early foreign language learning: published research, good practice and main principles / Peter Edelenbos and Angelika Kubanek -- Assessment of early learning of foreign languages in the USA / Helena Curtain -- Assessing young language learners: what is the construct? / Ofra Inbar-Lourie and Elana Shohamy -- Language proficiency and age-appropriate methodology at the English kindergarten of Kuopio / Joanne Jalkanen -- "I can you help?" Assessing speaking skills and interaction strategies of young learners / Andrea Haenni Hoti, Sybille Heinzmann, and Marianne Müller -- Input and long-term effects of early learning in a formal setting / Carmen Muñoz -- English / l/ and /r/ acquisition by Japanese children and adults / Chise Kasai -- Individual differences in early language programmes / Jelena Mihaljević Djigunović -- Early foreign language instruction in Greece: socioeconomic factors and their effect on young learners' language development / Marina Mattheoudakis and Thomaï Alexiou -- The role of aptitude in young learners' foreign language learning / Csilla Kiss -- Primary English in China: policy, curriculum and implementation / Qiang Wang -- The teacher factor in early foreign language learning programmes: the case of Vietnam / Jayne Moon -- Chinese primary school students' use of communication strategies in EFL classrooms / Jing Peng and Lili Zhang -- Expanding the comparative context for early language learning: from foreign to heritage and minority language programmes / John Harris -- The status of the target language: contemporary criteria influencing language choices for early learners in England / Janet Enever -- English for young learners (EYL) in grades 1 and 2 in Israel: a critical discourse analysis / Rivi Carmel
This edited volume offers readers 17 chapters on the age factor in different educational contexts across three continents. Papers discuss curriculum and assessment, individual differences, innovation in teacher education, and the role of target language. The book documents the impressive development in research methods into early language learning and teaching. It is a valuable resource for future studies