ERIC Number: EJ1273576
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1040-9289
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Are We All Speaking the Same Language? Exploring Language Interactions in the Homes of Young Latino DLLs Living in the U.S.
López, Lisa M.; Komaroff, Eugene; Scheffner Hammer, Carol; Rodriguez, Barbara; Scarpino, Shelley; Bitetti, Dana; Goldstein, Brian
Early Education and Development, v31 n8 p1247-1263 2020
Research Findings: The Latino population within the U.S. is heterogeneous with diversity in education level, country of origin, and English language fluency. Latino children often enter school with limited English language skills. In the current study, we surveyed 448 Latino families of Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican descent regarding their home language use providing an in-depth look at the language interactions within Latino families residing in the U.S. Adults were matched on the language used with each other and with the target child. Six main findings are reported: (1) Mother-father language matched in 94% of the homes. Frequency distributions and cross-tab analysis identified Spanish as the primary language spoken in 56% of the homes, (2) Children and parents matched in language spoken in less than 21% of the homes, (3) Fathers play an important role in language use at home, (4) Approximately half of the mothers report no English fluency, (5) Latino children prefer to speak English at home, and (6) Maternal English fluency is related to overall language use. Practice or Policy: Early Childhood professionals should carefully structure language experiences in the classroom to aid the language acquisition of DLLs while promoting bilingualism. In addition, programs must take into consideration language spoken at home when establishing communication with the families.
Descriptors: Hispanic American Students, Hispanic Americans, Parents, Language Usage, Family Environment, Interaction, Spanish Speaking, Parent Influence, Language Fluency, English (Second Language), Mothers, Fathers, Preferences, Bilingualism, Second Language Learning, Familiarity, Cubans, Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Young Children, Early Childhood Education
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) (NIH); Administration for Children and Families (DHHS); Office of Special Education Programs (ED/OSERS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: 7R01HD05154207
Author Affiliations: N/A