Using and developing Mother Tongue within the curriculum …means more opportunities for children to make cross language/ concept links necessary for effective language learning!
Acknowledgement of students backgrounds and their Mother Tongue is essential for them to be engaged and successful.
We try to celebrate the various languages in our EAL groups wherever en whenever we can! To reaffirm the value and status of a child’s multi-lingual and cultural identity.
“Concepts are most readily developed in the first language and, once developed, are accessible through the second language.” (“Iceberg model” by Prof. Jim Cummins, 2000)
"In other words, what we learn in one language transfers into the new language" (Freeman & Freeman, 1994, p. 176)
‘Concepts learned in students' primary language will help them acquire English. The concepts and skills that students learn in one language will transfer to the second language when the learner is ready’. (ASCD Judy Haynes, 2007)
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| Seoeun shows her Korean and English labels |
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| Solhee is busy linking Korean to English |
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| Kasumi uses the Translator App on the iPad to help her transfer knowlegde from Japanese into English and back |
