Languages and multilingualism

Multilingual book

Each early education setting has its own linguistic context. Some only have bilingual and multilingual children, others only have English-speaking children. If you are considering incorporating diverse languages into your program, start by assessing the context.

What are each child's linguistic needs? Talk to families about their goals and preferences. Which home languages do they want valued and developed?

Incorporating a child's home language into the program can benefit all children, including those who are monolingual. They will learn new ways of thinking, strengthen friendships, and gain respect for culture and diversity.

Common languages

Commonly spoken languages are:

Arabic, Bangla/Bengali, Cantonese, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Javanese, Korean, Lahnda, Mandarin, Marathi, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil, Telugu, Turkish, Urdu, and Vietnamese.

Even if you have no Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children attending your service, teaching the language of the Country you are on is a step towards reconciliation.

Children can also learn signing using Auslan, the language of the deaf community in Australia.

UNCRC and EYLF

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that children have the right to learn and use the language and customs of their families. The Early Years Learning Framework has learning outcomes relating to language:

  • Develop a sense of belonging to groups and communities (2.1).
  • Respond to diversity with respect (2.2).
  • Begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work (5.4).
  • Express ideas and make meaning using a range of media (5.3).
  • Interact verbally and non-verbally (5.1).

Learning experiences

Sing multilingual songs

Learn simple songs in languages other than English and sing them regularly. This is a fun and authentic way to respect bilingual children, without the pressure of intensive language learning.

Play language games

  • Ask children to find an easy object in the room (e.g. chair, teddy bear), but ask in a language other than English. 
  • A child throws a ball to another child and says a word in one language. When the second child throws the ball back, they say the word in a different language.
  • Use flash cards or "my first word" books. Talk about what the different pictures are called in other languages.
  • Play Simon Says but say the action words (e.g. jump, clap) in a language other than English.

Watch children's television

While television is frowned upon in childcare settings, consider the benefits of occasional multilingual children's programs. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation offers popular children's shows like Bluey and Peppa Pig in Mandarin. Little J and Big Cuz is available in various indigenous languages. Watch these shows on ABC iview.

Learning environments

Set up a writing table

Letter tracing and copying is also frowned upon in early childhood education. But what if it was a playful, open-ended, multilingual experience? Set up a writing table with traditional writing resources (e.g. flashcards, stencils) in languages that don't use the English alphabet. Let children use these resources however they like, but provide support if they ask for it.

Family and community connections

Host multilingual storytime

Who can read books in children's home languages? Ask staff and families and show how important this is, don't assume they will offer. Provide support if they need it, not everyone has read to a group of children before!

Provide books or let them share their own. They can read in their language only, or also in English. They can read each page in both languages or read the whole book in one language at a time.

Consider using silent books that only have pictures, no words. These are a good option for illiterate readers and they can be read in any language.

Watch videos of multilingual storytelling at New York Public Library.

Interactions and routines

  • Greet children and families in their home languages.
  • Learn to pronounce children's names correctly. Ask families for help if you are unsure.
  • Interact using words in every child's language, not just the easy languages.
  • Ask children to teach you new words for everyday objects and routines. Practice them and ask the child for help if you forget.

Events

Discussions

  • Does anyone in your home speak another language?
  • Which languages do you speak?
  • Which language do you prefer to use?
  • Have you noticed how languages use different sounds?

Reflections

  • Educators can gain inspiration from Australian bilingual childcare centres, like Froebel. Their centres offer second community languages, either German or Spanish.
  • Do your children understand that different words can mean the same thing?
  • Have friendships strengthened or formed through multilingual experiences?

Resources

Wordless picture books

  • Journey by Aaron Becker
  • The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Websites