The Role of Foreign Domestic Helpers in Hong Kong Chinese Children's English and Chinese Skills: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract

We investigated the influence of nonparental caregivers, such as foreign domestic helpers (FDH), on the home language spoken to the child and its implications for vocabulary and word reading development in Cantonese‐ and English‐speaking bilingual children. Using data collected from ages 5 to 9, we analyzed Chinese vocabulary, Chinese character recognition, English vocabulary, and English word reading among 194 native Cantonese‐speaking children in Hong Kong with English‐speaking FDHs (n = 46), children with Cantonese‐speaking FDHs (n = 32), and children with no FDHs who were spoken to in Cantonese (n = 116). Multilevel modeling results showed potential advantages in initial English vocabulary and disadvantages in initial Chinese character recognition among children in the English‐speaking FDH group, with no evidence for compounding or diminished costs or benefits over time. Results are discussed in relation to both theoretical and practical aspects of home language and literacy development.

Home Literacy and Numeracy Environments in Asia

“…Under the influence of the Western idea of child-centeredness, parents’ beliefs appear to be changing, however ( Rao and Li, 2009 ; Fung and Cheng, 2012 ; Lin and Yawkey, 2013 ). Second, several studies appear to acknowledge the role of non-parental household members in fostering children’s development in Asian homes, which sometimes span three generations and might even involve non-family members such as domestic helpers ( Chung and Koo, 2001 ; Dulay et al, 2017 ; Rao et al, 2017 ; Su et al, 2020 ). Third, there is a great demand to learn multiple languages in these contexts, as often the children are growing up in multilingual environments ( Joshi, 2015 ; Adamson, 2018 ; Wang, 2018 ).…”

“…These studies demonstrate that the responsibility of creating a home learning environment for children tends to be distributed across different household members in Asia. In some places, such as in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Arabian Peninsula, foreign domestic workers might even be expected to participate in this role, particularly vis-à-vis English language learning (e.g., Dulay et al, 2017 ).…”

“…In Bangladesh, children who reported seeing more than three family members reading at home were more likely to perform better on reading tasks ( Islam et al, 2018 ). In Hong Kong, having an English-speaking foreign domestic helpers benefited 5-year-olds’ English vocabulary performance ( Dulay et al, 2017 ). However, family members could serve as negative role models in some instances.…”

Children's Competencies Development in the Home Learning Environment

“…Under the influence of the Western idea of child-centeredness, parents' beliefs appear to be changing, however (Rao and Li, 2009;Fung and Cheng, 2012;Lin and Yawkey, 2013). Second, several studies appear to acknowledge the role of non-parental household members in fostering children's development in Asian homes, which sometimes span three generations and might even involve non-family members such as domestic helpers (Chung and Koo, 2001;Dulay et al, 2017;Rao et al, 2017;Su et al, 2020). Third, there is a great demand to learn multiple languages in these contexts, as often the children are growing up in multilingual environments (Joshi, 2015;Adamson, 2018;Wang, 2018).…”

Parents, migrant domestic workers and children's speaking of a second language: Evidence from Hong Kong

“…He concludes that “these findings cast doubts on the anecdotal belief of the harmful effect FDHs have on children's language acquisition including a second language”. Similarly, a study by Dulay, Tong, and McBride () finds that children under the care of an English‐speaking MDW in Hong Kong have better English vocabulary development, but poorer initial Chinese character recognition compared to children cared by a non‐English‐speaking MDW or without a MDW.…”