Learning in Three Languages in Home and Community

In this chapter the author gives an overview of her study of 36 children aged three and a half to eleven from a Gujerati Muslim community in north east London who live their daily lives in three languages. Through interviews, observations, recordings and questionnaires, their experiences of learning literacy in Gujerati, Urdu and English were explored in school, in the home and in community classes. The children’s use of their three languages was tracked through the three generations of their families and in many different areas of their daily lives in the community. The chapter concludes by recommending a closer collaboration between mainstream schools, complementary schools and families to support the children in building on their language skills, their metalinguistic knowledge, their ability to respond to different learning situations and styles and encourage their development as additive bilinguals.

Citation:
Sneddon R. (2007) 'Learning in Three Languages in Home and Community' Published in Conteh,J., Martin,P. and Robertson, L.H. (eds) (2007) Multilingual Learning: Stories in Schools and Communities in Britain. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham Books. pp 32-55.