The importance of bilingualism in the primary classroom

Book chapter


Kulenovic, E. 2021. The importance of bilingualism in the primary classroom. in: Carno, M. (ed.) Advances in Education and Educational Trends Series inScience Press. pp. 145-158
Chapter titleThe importance of bilingualism in the primary classroom
AuthorsKulenovic, E.
Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to give account of the importance of early bilingualism in the primary classroom and to ascertain if being bilingual from an early age is an advantage or a hindrance. In the context researched here (Primary school teachers and Primary trainee teachers in England), the paper seeks to determine how early bilingualism has influenced the respondents’ education, career choices and overall learning and teaching experience at school. Action research was used in this study. The key findings concluded that early bilingualism has impacted positively on the respondents’ education and life choices and that being bilingual from an early age is an advantage. On the other hand, there are some negative influences, but they are outweighed by the benefits that knowledge of home languages bring. It is hoped that this study will encourage primary teachers, trainee teachers and parents to look at bilingualism as an opportunity and utilise bilingual learners’ linguistic and cultural knowledge in order to create an environment where students and teachers have the opportunity to learn and develop together.

Sustainable Development Goals4 Quality education
Middlesex University ThemeCreativity, Culture & Enterprise
Page range145-158
Book titleAdvances in Education and Educational Trends Series
EditorsCarno, M.
PublisherinScience Press
SeriesEducation Applications & Developments VI
ISBN9789895481569
ISSN2183-2978
Electronic2184-0210
Publication dates
Online06 Jul 2021
Print06 Jul 2021
Publication process dates
Completed25 Nov 2020
Deposited03 Apr 2025
Output statusPublished
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Open
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© 2021 inScience Press
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This publication will be available online in http://insciencepress.org/ and limited hard copies can be ordered from: InScience Press,Rua Tomas Ribeiro, 45, 1ºD1050-225 Lisboa, Portugal

InScience Press Open Access License https://insciencepress.org/open-access-oa/open-access-license/

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.36315/2021ead12
Related Output
Is part ofhttps://press.insciencepress.org/index.php/press/catalog/book/13
Is part ofhttps://doi.org/10.36315/2021eadVI
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