In this study, we investigated the lexical ability in L1 and L2 of 60 immigrant children who were 37 to 62 months old and exposed to minority languages (L1) and Italian (L2). Using the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories, we measured children’s vocabulary production in L1 and L2. From interviews, we collected data on quantitative language exposure (parental input, child output, length of exposure to L2 at preschool, and parental oral fluency) and qualitative home-language exposure (HLE) practices (active, play, and passive) in L1 and L2. We conducted stepwise regression analyses to explore which factors predicted children’s vocabulary production in L1 and L2. The child’s chronological age and parental education were not predictors of vocabulary production. L2 parental input, L1 child output, and L1 HLE-active practices explained 42% of the variance in children’s L1 vocabulary production. L2 child output and L2 HLE-active practices explained 47% of the variance in children’s L2 vocabulary production, whereas length of L2 exposure in preschool was a predictor only when we included quantitative language-exposure factors in the model. The effects of the quantity and quality of language exposure on lexical ability among preschool immigrant children are discussed.
Identity And Language Of Moldovan Mothers Emigrated To Italy. The present study investigates family-related language practices of Moldovan mothers emigrated to Italy, through a semi-structured interview. To date, few studies have considered linguistic choices in relation to educational practices and identity aspects in this population. Ten Moldovan woman have been interviewed. Results from a thematic analysis on the collected interviews has highlighted a complex relationship between identity, language and education: the use of the mother tongue or the «new» language appeared intertwined with the historical and political events of the country of origin, with consequences on the different use of languages in domestic contexts, through specific choices or «code-mixing»; or in extended family contexts. With their children, the language of origin is predominant, although the practices adopted to promote it are often mediated by TV. Overall, the findings confirm the interdependent nature of the cultural, social and identity aspects that influence language practices in migrant families from Moldova; at the same time, the selective use of these practices within different contexts and relationships has consequences for their children’s educational experiences.
Purpose: This study aimed to examine the L1 and L2 linguistic profiles of preschool bilingual children of migrants, to compare the evaluations of their parents and teachers, and to identify the children with low L2 lexical skills. Method: The expressive vocabulary and word combinations of these bilingual children were assessed with the MacArthur Bates Communicative Development Inventories (MB-CDI) short-form questionnaire, by both parents, to evaluate L1 and L2-Italian, and teachers, to evaluate L2. Interviews were carried out with the parents to collect the demographic and linguistic variables. Data and analysis: The sample comprised 60 preschool bilingual children of migrants (chronological age: 37–62 months) with 15 first language (L1) minority backgrounds, and exposed to L2-Italian. A total of 60 families and 44 nursery school teachers also participated. Conclusion: Almost two-thirds (61.4%) of these preschool bilingual children of migrants showed greater expressive vocabulary in L2 than L1. The children’s word combinations were advanced in L2 in 84.8%, and in L1 in 27.1%. Parents attributed higher language skills in L2-Italian to their children than teachers, although assessments of parents and teachers were correlated. Almost a quarter of the children (24.6%) showed low lexical skills in L2, which is explained by shorter exposure time to L2 at school. Originality: The characteristics of the L1 and L2 linguistic profiles of preschool bilingual children have been little studied to date, although these children are increasingly present in school contexts. There is the need to identify children who are slow in acquisition of L2, along with the contextual-linguistic factors that explain this slowed language acquisition. Implications: The availability of a relevant and rapid tool (MB-CDI questionnaire) to estimate knowledge in L1 and L2 that is suitable for migrant parents and teachers provides important information for assessment of the L2 skills of such bilingual children of migrants.
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