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Becoming bilingual

Did you know that one in five Australian children is bilingual? In Sydney, Australia's most multicultural city, that number rises to one in three.

As Australia's population becomes more multicultural, there is an increasing need to understand how and when children with non-English speaking carers develop the language skills they need to excel in the Australian classroom. Recent research suggests that many children, especially from certain language backgrounds, may be lagging behind, arriving at school without the language skills they need to be considered 'school ready'. This is a concern for parents, teachers and clinicians alike, especially as the lack of good English skills may mimic language delay - a serious language learning disorder that affects 7% of children worldwide that requires early intervention.

To ensure that children are getting the right type of support, CCD researchers Professor Katherine Demuth and Dr Nan Xu are developing screening tools that can effectively identify those with language delay as opposed to those who are simply progressing toward becoming bilingual. The team is planning to create tools for iPads that teachers can use to help identify areas where students need support in English and to track their students' language development.

With over 240 different languages spoken in Australian homes, there is also a need to follow the language development of children from various language backgrounds from the preschool to school age years. Dr Xu explains, "This will help us understand how various aspects of language develop and if it differs based on the language children hear at home."

For parents raising bilingual children, the most important thing is to give them as many opportunities as possible to hear and speak English in an interactive and social setting. Enrolling them in preschool is one of the best ways to give them exposure to English. Library reading groups are another fun and free way for children to practice English. Of course, reading aloud in English and asking questions about the story can also increase a child's understanding of the structure of the language and the sound of the words.

If you are interested in learning more about how children learn a second language, please come to the Current Issues in Child Bilingual Development Workshop. Hosted by the CCD, the Child Language Lab, and Macquarie University Centre for Language Sciences, this workshop brings together national and international researchers to discuss current issues in bilingual and multilingual language learning. It should be of interest to researchers, clinicians, educators, parents and the general public, with implications for all. The workshop runs from 26-27 July 2018 at the Macquarie University Australian Hearing Hub in Sydney, Australia. Registration is free. Submission of abstracts closes 1 May. For more details, see the Workshop website.

What is Harmony Day?

Harmony Day was founded in 1999 to recognise and celebrate the diversity of Australian culture. Harmony Day events are held each year on 21 March, which coincides with United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

To find out what events are being held near you or for more information about Harmony Day, please visit: https://www.harmony.gov.au/