B402 – Language Development in New Language Learners
This course develops students’ understanding of language development in the first eight years of life and the principles that govern the process. The language learning process is studied as an integral part of both the development of thinking and the child’s sense of self. The purpose of the course is also to provide a framework for considering how language development in bilingual individuals is different from that of monolinguals. This course is designed to assist educators in understanding how the multiple realities of bilingualism interact with the educational context and therefore may influence the academic performance of bilingual students. Students learn how the various contexts both inside and outside of a child’s home interact with factors such as age, sex, race, social class, and cultural experiences to influence language competence and performance. Students examine the role of adults, peers, and siblings in fostering language development, and learn how group experiences in early childhood programs can be arranged to maximize language development in new language learners.