Which one of the following statements is correct about development of language…
2023
Which one of the following statements is correct about development of language abilities of children?
Answer: C. Multilingualism is a typical feature of Indian linguistic diversity and must be used as a resource. — Foundational learning: Concepts taught in a child’s home language transfer to additional languages, making later learning easier. Identity and motivation:…
- A.
Implementing three language formula can pose complex difficulties and hence be avoided.
- B.
Children come to school with extremely limited language abilities as language is a complex rule-governed system.
- C.
Multilingualism is a typical feature of Indian linguistic diversity and must be used as a resource.
- D.
Home language of children can seriously interfere with their formal learning and should be avoided as medium of instruction.
Attempted by 81 students.
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Correct answer: C
Foundational learning: Concepts taught in a child’s home language transfer to additional languages, making later learning easier.
Identity and motivation: Valuing home languages supports children’s self-esteem and engagement in school.
Classroom practices that follow from this view: Use the home language to introduce new concepts and instructions, then gradually connect to the school language.
Encourage translanguaging: allow children to use all languages they know to think, discuss, and solve problems.
Provide bilingual/multilingual materials and train teachers to work across languages.
Clarifying common misconceptions: Claiming home language ‘interferes’ with learning is misleading; in practice, it supports understanding and the learning of additional languages.
Treating children as having negligible language ability is incorrect; they arrive with rich, rule-governed communicative skills that schooling should build on.
In summary: Use multilingualism as an educational resource by building on home language competence, implementing supportive multilingual policies, and adopting classroom practices that connect languages and concepts.