Examining Preschool-aged Dual Language Learners’ Language Use: From a Functional Approach

This study examines oral language development of 14 dual language learners ages 2.5 to 5.5 years in preschools in the Midwestern United States. They engaged in five key language uses: argue, explain, heuristic, recount, and request. Preschoolers 2.5 to 3.5 years only made simple requests or argued to meet their needs; the older cohort demonstrated a wider range of key language uses.

Published: March 2016

Author(s): Ahyoung Alicia Kim, Akira Kondo, Mariana Castro

Access the Working Paper from the WCER website