Bilingual pedagogy

The concept of bilingual education describes the learning of a foreign language in the day care centre. The children learn according to the so-called immersion principle. The aim is to give the children access to a second language, such as English, as early as possible.

Background globalisation

Interconnections between nation states on a cultural and social level have been steadily increasing in Europe since the end of the Second World War. As a result, multilingualism is playing an increasingly important role in education. Bilingual day-care centres are therefore becoming increasingly popular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Globalisation on a cultural and social level is the driving force behind this, but there is also a view in modern pedagogy to provide children with language support as early as possible. The reasons for this are obvious. On the one hand, learning a second language opens up better opportunities for children in their later careers. On the other hand, studies have shown that children between the ages of 3 and 5 are particularly receptive and able to learn, and learning another language is therefore relatively easy for them.

© adobe.stock / Pixel-Shot

Learning with the immersion principle

The learning focus in a bilingual day care centre is primarily on language teaching. Learning is based on the immersion principle. The children do not learn the language with a vocabulary book or textbook, but rather - ideally daily or several times a week - come into contact with the second language in different everyday situations in the day care centre. This happens through the two principles of speaking and listening. In addition, what is said is combined with actions, gestures and facial expressions. In this way, the children quickly learn what each word means. For example, greetings and farewells take place in the foreign language. Actions such as throwing a ball are spoken in the foreign language.

Advantages of the immersion principle

• The children learn communicative competence.

• Intercultural understanding and tolerance towards other cultures is promoted.

• The self-confidence to speak the foreign language later is promoted.

• The children come into contact with active learning at an early age.

• Children with learning difficulties and those with learning difficulties are equally supported by the immersion principle.

The decisive factor for language competence is ultimately how frequently and intensively the language is spoken in the day care centre. This depends on the concept of the day care centre, depending on how much importance is attached to bilingual education. By the end of kindergarten, the children can usually speak a few sentences in the foreign language and express themselves in an age-appropriate way. Whether the teachers are native speakers or have learned the language themselves should be asked at the respective day care centre.

Origin

The idea of bilingual education goes back to research in the field of language development, which has shown that children are capable of acquiring several languages at the same time. In the 1960s, bilingual education was introduced as a model in the USA and Canada to improve the language skills of children with an immigrant background and to promote their integration into society. Since then, the concept has spread worldwide and is now used in many countries, including those where multilingualism has a long tradition, such as Switzerland or Canada.

Bilingual education has evolved over time and today there are different models that can vary depending on the objective and context. Some schools, for example, rely on immersion teaching, where children learn in a foreign language environment and use the target language in everyday life and at school. Other schools offer split teaching, where subjects are taught in both languages. There are also models where lessons alternate between the two languages or where certain subjects are restricted to a particular language.

Bilingual education has proven to be an effective concept for promoting language competence and intercultural competence. Children who grow up bilingually often have better cognitive skills and are able to cope better in different cultural contexts. However, the concept also requires appropriate support from parents and the school to ensure success.

Advantages of bilingual education

Bilingual education offers many advantages for the children. One of the most important advantages is the early and natural acquisition of two languages. The children learn the languages playfully and intuitively without having to be aware of it. Another advantage is the broadening of the cultural horizon. Learning a foreign language also introduces them to foreign cultures and traditions. Increasing cognitive performance is also a positive effect of bilingual education. Studies have shown that bilingual children can concentrate better on complex tasks and show a higher level of creative problem solving.