BLOG #13 Abstract

Malgosia Kopczynski

Prodigy26@aol.com

Abstract

Key Findings of Research

Current research shows that child's executive function benefits from maintaining a balance of knowledge of two languages. Bilingual children have metalinguistic awareness and the ability to use code switching. 

Action Plan Goals 

My goal in conducting a survey "A Balanced Approach to Bilingualism" was to gather views and information about how to maintain a child's mother tongue or second language. Bilingualism consists of an equal balance of knowledge of two languages. In order for children to learn, maintain, and advance a second language, a substantial amount of time and effort by families and children has to be invested. I also wanted to learn about the concerns and frustrations that parents and children have regarding learning a second language. My goal was to involve a hundred people who were a part of a Polish community, a German partial immersion school, a French total immersion school, and out of state bilingual friends. I sought out to learn what challenges and hopes are involved with teaching and learning a second language. I wanted to know what thinking processes, habits, and activities of effective and successful bilingual families are. My personal goal was to become a more knowledgeable and resourceful teacher.

Results

• 59% of fathers speak a second language, 11 in total as a group
• 72% of mothers speak a second language, 9 in total as a group
• 67% of children speak a second language, 12 in total as a group
• 72% of grandparents speak a second language, 14 in total as a group
• 9 dominant languages spoken at home, as a group
• All survey participants were interested in their child becoming bilingual
• bilingual children choose to speak English with their parents, siblings, and friends but choose to speak a language other than English with their grandparents
• Second Language School and Scouting were the most popular bilingual activities 
• 62% of parents said that their child studies a second language at school
• Spanish, French, and German were the top three languages studied at school
• 61% of people said their child studies a second language more than 3 times per week at school

Implications 

When searching for or forming a quality second language program it is important to consider a child's interest in learning games and songs, celebrating cultural traditions, participating in interactive and engaging activities, learning about the culture, and technology use. Existing second language programs would benefit from increasing class time to three times a week, allowing for the possibility of becoming fluent by presenting students with the same language exposure for their entire elementary school career, and incorporating learning a second language throughout the day and across the curriculum. Other beneficial ideas include hiring bilingual teachers, involving parents to share their language and culture, and advocating for the importance of learning other languages. 

Use two languages from the start. Many children grow up learning two languages at the same time. Involve your children in bilingual activities. Give your child many opportunities to hear and practice using both languages in everyday situations.

Resources

Web sites

Youtube 

Babbel.com

Google Translate

Libratus.edu.pl

lilutoteach.weebly.com

duolingo.com

livemocha.com

http://www.asha.org/about/news/tipsheets/bilingual.htm (advantages of being bilingual)

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/talk_to_your_baby#language (how to talk to your baby)

http://www.nabe.org/ (National Association for Bilingual Education)

http://www.reading.org/ (International Reading Association)

http://www.frantastique.com/partner/adw-7days

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/

http://english.cri.cn/08chinese/  (Chinese)

http://www.chinese-tools.com/

http://www.learn-japanese.info/ (Japanese)

http://www.deutsch-lernen.com/ (German)

http://italian.about.com/ (Italian)

http://www.elanguageschool.net/italian

http://www.skritter.com/ (Chinese and Japanese)

http://www.eflclassroom.com/ (English language learning)

http://www.lingq.com/ (all languages)

http://lang-8.com/

http://www.italki.com/

Immersion schools

http://www.frenchschoolofdetroit.org/ (French total immersion)

https://sites.google.com/site/hinokiinternational/home (Japanese total immersion)

http://www.oaklandsteiner.org/ (eight years of German classes offered)

http://www.icschools.org/ (eight years of Ukrainian classes offered)

BLOG #12 Technology

Since technology plays a big part in education, I wanted to ask parents for their input about technology and/or web sites that are a part of their child's second language learning at home and at school. I was surprised to see that more technology is being used at home. I was fortunate to teach at a school that purchased Rosetta Stone for the entire school. I had access to all languages! My students were given a password and were able to log into Rosetta Stone at home. They were also encouraged to share the password with their family in order to involve their families in their language learning. 

Learning a second technology at home is easier today than it was when I was growing up. Technology can be taken with you on trips and used when you have time. Internet access while traveling and being away from home also makes it easier to be able to login into a language learning web site or open up an app on your iphone, ipad, or Kindle.

Does your child use technology or web sites to learn a second language?

Home	35	51%
School	33	49%

Please list technology or web sites

Software 

Edmondo

Rosetta Stone

Mango

Apps

Flash card app

stories on ipad

apps on iphone

Hand held technology

Leapfrog

Web sites

Polish cartoons on Youtube 

Babbel.com

Google Translate

Libratus.edu.pl

lilutoteach.weebly.com

duolingo.com

livemocha.com

http://www.frantastique.com/partner/adw-7days

http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/

http://english.cri.cn/08chinese/  (Chinese)
http://www.chinese-tools.com/

http://www.learn-japanese.info/ (Japanese)

http://www.deutsch-lernen.com/ (German)

http://italian.about.com/ (Italian)

http://www.elanguageschool.net/italian

http://www.skritter.com/ (Chinese and Japanese)

http://www.eflclassroom.com/ (English language learning)

http://www.lingq.com/ (all languages)

http://lang-8.com/

http://www.italki.com/

Television

Dora the Explorer

tv shows and cartoons in different languages

I researched all of these web sites and am impressed with the amount of free language lessons that you can receive! Many of the require you to sign up, receive a login, and pay for certain things. Some web sites, like the Japanese learning one, offer cultural and historical background of the country you will be studying. There are breath taking pictures and videos of landscapes and beauty that different countries have to offer. 

  

BLOG #11 Dispelling Myths

In my last blog, I mentioned some beliefs and myths that some people have about becoming bilingual. It can be difficult for parents to know what is truth and what is myth. One family shared an experience with  me that took place at their pediatrician's office. The mother took her two year old son for a check up. Her son has been exposed primarily to Polish so she was speaking to him in Polish during the visit. The pediatrician spoke English to the child while examining him. The pediatrician  advised her to stop speaking only Polish to her son and to switch over to English. The reasoning behind this was that this would prevent her child from being confused when he entered preschool. I italicized the word "pediatrician" because this is a person that we listen to, confide in, and accept advice from. I decided to do some research in finding a short but knowledgeable video that I could send to parents who have questions about some of these myths. 

Myths about dual language learning

Your child will become confused

More than half of the world population is bilinguals. In many parts of the world, people are trilingual. No one is confused learning multiple languages there. Circumstances it which multiple languages are learned may be confusing. Teaching multiple languages should be done in a structured, systematic and consistent way.

All children have the ability to differentiate between languages. Each language has a different sound and even 6 month old infants are able to distinguish between the switching of these sounds. Bilingual children are at an advantage because they have metalinguistic awareness. 

Your child will be delayed

There is no evidence to suggest that this is true. Bilingual and monolingual children gain language at the same rate. Bilingual children use code switching in order to interchange between languages. This process challenges their brains and therefore overcome any kind of language learning delays that they may have.

Bilinguals are less intelligent than monolinguals

Bilinguals may have a smaller bank of vocabulary words, making it hard for them to express themselves, explain, or describe something. After hearing a story in English, a bilingual child would be able to retell it in detail using his or her native language. 

Reducing to one language will increase your child's success

This may actually have a negative impact. It would cause a disruption when people would stop speaking the language that has been taken away when the child walked into the room. The child would feel that he can't fit in or associate himself with the culture of the family. It would negatively impact the child socially and emotionally.

The link below will take you to an 9 minute video interview that dispells myths about bilingualism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVYhpCprtzQ&feature=youtu.be

BLOG #10 Concerns, Frustrations and Hopes

Including constructive response questions in my survey provided me with valuable insights into how children and parents view bilingualism. Parents put a lot of thought into their answers and I really appreciated this! I was also excited to see parents involve their children in the survey by asking what their concerns and frustrations their children may have.  

PARENTS

What concerns or frustrations, if any, do you have about your child learning a second language?

I hope... 

•  my child will be able to continue studying a second language in high school and college
•  my spouse will learn the language so that we can both speak to our children
•  my child doesn't forget her mother tongue
•  my child will be able to read literature that I read when I was younger 
•  my child can become fluent
•  my child remain fluent throughout her whole life

Questions

• Will my child be able to differentiate between the languages if we teach him multiple languages at the same time?
• What are some additional resources that we can use in learning, teaching, and maintaining a second language?
• Why does my child mix languages when speaking?
• Why does my child start telling a story in her mother tongue and then continues with English only?

Obstacles in Maintaining Children's Bilingualism

• parents need more resources to help them teach their children a second language. Exposing children to a language that the husband or wife knows, but the spouse, doesn't, makes it difficult to practice. 
• in middle school, language teachers are not proficient in the language that they teach the students
• my child is lazy!
• parents find it difficult to practice the language that their child is learning in school because they are not familiar with it
• lack of time to practice 
• drive time to bilingual activities is far
• creating an environment that is conducive to speaking a second language
• both parents don't share the same knowledge of languages other than English
• Rosetta Stone is too expensive
• my child answers me in English
• scheduling issues with bilingual activities
• languages are not offered at school
• too much academic pressure
• my child chooses to speak English with his friends and siblings
• there is pressure from other children to speak English instead of their mother tongue
• my child has a hard time switching between two languages
• It is easier for me to communicate in English with my children
• the grammar and range of vocabulary is weaker with the language that is practice less 
• 
  

Child's Resistance

• lack of child's enthusiasm in learning/practicing second language
• child has too much homework to be able to conquer second language homework
• lack of will
• lack of positive attitude

Keeping the Language Alive

• Growing up, almost everyone I knew was bilingual and the children seemed to absorb the language organically. Today, I see children of new immigration than I, struggling. I would guess that the factor in the intense exposure to media where almost everything is in English. Children seem to drift away from their non-English language at a much earlier age than people of my generation did. 
• daily practice
• joining bilingual activities
• speaking with parents, grandparents, siblings and friends
• traveling
• my child enjoys singing and talking in another language! 
• we watch tv shows in our mother tongue
• our child uses apps on iphone and ipad 
• arranging play dates with friends who share the same language
• we shop at ethnic stores and buy ethnic food and products

Staying Connected to Family and Culture

• speaking with grandparents
• understanding people when we travel to our home country
• experiencing traditions in native language

Supplementing what schools don't offer

• Not many schools offer German, and if they do, it is only an introductory level. 
• Disappointment with switching to a new school that doesn't offer an in-depth language program. 

Partial and Total Immersion Programs

• Parents voiced their concern about if adequate content coverage of Language Arts and Math would be covered in an immersion program. 
• Most are expensive private schools

CHILDREN

What concerns or frustrations, if any, does your child have about learning a second language?

It's hard...

• I have too much schoolwork
• additional homework is no fun!
• bilingual activities keep me to busy
• when my friends don't speak the same languages as I do
• to pronounce some words
• to read and write
• to speak but I understand a lot
• it's just hard
• to switch between languages
• I don't like the language we are learning in school
• to roll "r"
• I don't understand all of the words
• I can't speak Polish with my dad

I Like...

• to speak different languages with my friends
• my sister and I can keep secrets and make plans without anyone understand us
• speaking French
• to listen to people speak different languages
• to have a lot of Polish friends

Before I even wrote up the survey, I anticipated people would respond to certain questions with hesitation. Before the "No Child Left Behind" Act, bilingual children were taken out of the classroom for various amounts of time spent in supplemental English lessons, missing class time, activities, and time spent with their classmates. One parent opened up to me and shared her experience with me. Her daughter was born in the United States but her primary language was Polish up until Kindergarten. Upon signing her daughter up for school, she had to fill out some paperwork. One question asked if English was the child's second language. She indicated "yes". The school enrolled her child in an ESL class with students who spoke no English. The teacher said that her daughter's English was not "at level". This experience has made her become cautious of answering questions fully and honestly. When she started filling out my survey, she paused at one of the first questions, "Do you, father, mother, children, and grandparents speak a language other than English"? She was debating whether or not she should just reply "no". I listened to her reasoning and reassured her that the survey needs accurate information in order for the results to be meaningful. I also told her that the survey is anonymous and will remain in a private group of readers. 

I was also weary of how people will respond to the open-ended questions dealing with concerns and frustrations of their child learning a second language. I know that some people and teachers still believe that learning a second language will negatively affect child development and language development. People also believe that their children might be stereotyped or treated differently. Some people also try not to speak their second language at home for numerous reasons. Some of these reasons include trying to assimilate into the American culture and to learn the English language better by speaking with their children (who often speak English more fluently than their parents). People that I conducted my survey with confided in me by telling me that they name their children American names that can be easily pronounced. Some people change their last names by shortening them or taking out unnecessary letters. Some children that I spoke with expressed their pride in being able to speak multiple languages. Some children shyly told me that they don't like speaking their mother tongue because their friends think it's weird and can't understand them, and in some cases, their accents. I wonder how this can be prevented? I wonder how some of these myths can be clarified. I think that this is possible through gaining factual knowledge and advocating the positive advantages of learning a second language. I think that exposing children, in school and at home, to different languages and cultures will make them more accepting, appreciative, and comfortable with things that are unfamiliar to them (such as a language that they cannot understand). I hope that young children learning a second language can feel confidence and pride in learning and maintaining a second language!! 

BLOG #9 Great Suggestions!

Analyzing research data is hard work but very rewarding. It can be overwhelming but the more it is read and reflected upon, the clearer the big picture becomes. I am noticing ways in which I would change a survey in the future. Asking open ended questions has generated important views and opinions. I enjoyed reading what people had to say! I think that conducting a survey through a comfortable interview process would yield even more knowledge and insight into people's views on bilingualism. 

 Do you feel that the language program at school is effective?

Yes	51	70%
No	22	30%

Since 61% of people indicated that their child studies a language other than English more than three times per week, I was not surprised to see that 70% of people feel that the language program at school is effective. This is not the data that I expected! I was not only sure that language classes weren't offered often enough but I was almost certain that language programs were not effective! I guess public opinion proved me wrong. I am still suspicious over these results and would be very interested in continuing this survey using a random population. I surveyed mostly bilingual people who more than likely invest in sending their children to schools with successful language programs. 

How do you think it could be improved?

My Child Likes...

• learning games
• learning songs
• celebrating cultural traditions
• eating and cooking different ethnic foods
• celebrations
• field trips
• activities
• art
• cooperative play
• hearing poems
• looking at authentic artifacts from other countries
• performing
• taking part in plays
• technology

Suggestions and Improvements

• more practice with conversation
• more frequent classes-3 times a week
• more choices of what language my child can study
• should be offered during the school and not only as an after school activity
• more out of school activities such as field trips
• incorporate learning a second language throughout the day and across the curriculum
• less homework sent home
• make more books available
• more reading assignments
• ask parents to come in and share culture, stories, and languages spoken at home
• more parent involvement
• more of a variety of languages offered
• teach more than just counting in another language
• more involvement of technology

Quality of Teaching and Program

• teachers could try and get the kids more engaged in learning
•  in middle school, language teachers are not proficient in the language that they teach the students
• encourage my child in learning/speaking second language 
• it is only an introductory program
• it is only a language exploratory program that introduces three languages
• more languages offered
• hire bilingual teachers

It's Not Sticking

• child isn't able to translate words into English
• cannot remember lessons studied at school
• only knows simple words and phrases

Bringing Knowledge Home

• child sings songs that she has learned
• is able to recall lessons
• names object at home
• must practice language at home 
• at home, tries to speak the language he's learning at school

More Intensive Programs Wanted

• I wish foreign languages started in preschool and continued from K-8
• more partial and total immersion programs
• long term retention would be feasible with more practice

Communication

• better communication of what the expectations are

Wow! Parents are really good at giving suggestions! They know their children the best, of course, and are able to suggest what interests their child. I liked learning that children enjoy performing because this gave me so many ideas on how to incorporate a second language into the performances that students take part in throughout the year. 

I thought the most interesting piece of advice from the survey was to incorporate learning a second language throughout the day and across the curriculum. It sounds like some people are interested in partial and immersion programs :)

I taught at a charter school whose "sister school" was in Krakow, Poland. I taught my Kindergarteners some Polish. When the school owner would come visit my classroom, she was always pleased to be greeted in Polish. We sang "Jingle Bells" in Polish for the Christmas concert, said "Dziendobry" (good morning) to each other every morning and "Do widzenia" (until we see each other again) at the end of each day. I would also say things such as "come here" to them in Polish. Coincidentally, I am friends with the Kindergarten teacher in Poland so we had our classes keep in touch via Skype. This is a great way to incorporate technology! 

Does your child enjoy learning a second language?

Yes	71	95%
No	4	5%

Children love to learn, we all know this. As long as the material is presented in an interesting and interactive way, then children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning new things becomes evident. It was nice to see that 95% of children enjoy learning a second language! 

BLOG #8 Bilingual Activities

Bilingual activities offer the possibility of maintaining the ability to speak a second language fluently. These activities are available through schools, churches, and of course, at home. Parents invest a substantial amount of time, dedication, and money to keep their children bilingual. Conducting this survey and gathering people's ideas was a great experience. I have gathered successful ways of teaching and sustaining a child's bilingualism to share with parents and people who are interested in this. 

The church where I conducted my survey is a special place not only because it offers masses in both English and Polish, but because it is a community. There are four Polish dancing groups; depending on your age and experience. There is a Saturday Polish School and religion classes. There is a soccer team called the Polish Eagles that young boys and men aspire to join. The Polish Scouting Organization holds their weekly troop meetings in an adjoining building. There are also various festivals, bazaars, dinners, dances, fundraisers, and groups of interest to join. So many opportunities to speak Polish! 

The Waldorf School, Oakland Steiner that I visited, offers each grade the opportunity to study German for their entire elementary school career. The Waldorf schools attract families that have recently moved to the United States from Germany, France, Austria, and Spain because Waldorf schools are very prevalent in those countries. Parents show interest in creating parent groups that meet often. They knit, crochet, and felt toys for their children's classrooms. Their conversations revolve around exchanging recipes, stories about their culture, child rearing advice, and trying to assimilate into a new culture while keeping ties to their native culture. They and their children have opportunities to speak different languages with each other. The teachers often invite parents into the classroom to share stories, show items, and make recipes from different countries and cultures. 

The French School of Detroit attracts families who are serious about their child becoming fluent in French through an immersion program. This school also attracts people who move to the United States from France and Germany for a 1-3 year contract and then return home. These families need a support system in helping their children maintain their fluency of French. They also search for a community which will allow them to feel connected to their culture, goals, and language. 

Does your child attend any bilingual activities?

Second Language School	44	27%
Dance	18	11%
Religion	25	16%
Sports	6	4%
Tutoring	8	5%
Scouting	29	18%
Traveling	20	12%
Other	11	7%

Second Language School seems to be the most popular bilingual activity! It was interesting to learn that people consider traveling as a bilingual activity because it was not something that I had thought of to give as a choice on the survey. I am glad that I added the "other" choice. 

Scouting is the second most popular bilingual activity. Growing up, my sister and I were a part of it. Belonging to the Polish Scouting Organization has been the most important instrumental activity in supporting me with remaining bilingual. I have traveled to most states and countries joining other scouts from all over the US and world and participating in trips and jamborees. I have met friends from all over the world and have traveled to visit them over the years since I have been sixteen years old. Being able to speak Polish has allowed me to fully enjoy the rich cultural experience of scouting such as singing beautiful songs and communicating with scouts of all ages.

I understand that people's lives are busy and that finding a comfortable rhythm in life is an art that is always changing. My parents choosing scouting as a bilingual activity was a wise choice. My parents were both scouts in Poland as children. Both of my parents have an immense appreciation for nature, travel, and making connections with new people. Belonging to scouting was a way of life for m family. My mom came to camp as the camp nurse when we were under ten years old. My dad came to visit on the weekends and led lessons that involved learning the names of trees and building a fire correctly. We were able to spend time together as a family and use our native tongue in speaking, reading, singing, and teaching others. When choosing the right bilingual activities for your child and family, it is important to keep in mind how it's going to enrich life. 

Other than English, does your child study a language other than English at school?

Yes	62	74%
No	22	26%

It was encouraging to see that 74% of people said that their child studies a language other than English at school. All of the schools I have taught at offered a second language but I know that many schools cut language programs when funds become scarce. I wish more schools saw language programs as something essential instead of unnecessary or debatable. 

		If so, what language or languages? Ukrainian 9 10% Polish 5 6% Chinese 7 8% American Sign Language 1 1% Hebrew 1 1% German 15 17% French 17 19% Spanish 27 31% Russian 1 1% Japanese 2 2% Arabic 3 3% Google Drive only listed the languages that are studied at school. I went through all 117 surveys and tallied all languages studied. I had to make a new survey using only the question "If so, what language or languages?".  The results are depicted in the pie chart above.  How many times a week? 1-2 days a week 16 26% 2-3 days a week 8 13% More than 3 days a week 38 61% These results show that language programs at school seem to be successful because 61% of people stated that their children study a language other than English more than three times per week. This has been the most encouraging piece of data so far!