Page 11 - ELG2107 Jul Issue 476

NEWS

Can watching English videos erode a child’s mother tongue?

By Gillian Ragsdale language acquisition, as well as
Routine exposure to digital sources questions testing their grammar
of English improves English and receptive vocabulary. Testing
language learning in Icelandic included questions looking for
children without compromising evidence of transfer from English BERMIX STUDIO ON UNSPLASH
their mother tongue development, language usage to Icelandic,
according to research from the indicating that exposure to
University of Iceland. English might be interfering with
English is increasingly seen to proper use of children’s L1.
dominate digital media globally, In the second part of the
from TV to social media and study, a stratified random sample
gaming, and Icelandic education of 106 children and parents
professionals are not alone in were interviewed and tested in
their concerns over the impact of more depth. This gave more
children’s familiarity with English detailed information, as well as
on the development of their more extensive vocabulary and
mother tongue. grammar testing.
Sigurjonsdottir and Nowenstein The proportion of overall
sought to address concerns over language exposure averaged just
the preservation of the Icelandic 14%, although this varied from input in Icelandic and children this does not appear to be at the
language by assessing whether 0-52%. The type of exposure with more English vocabulary also expense of their linguistic skills
children’s exposure to English was changed across age groups and had more Icelandic vocabulary. in Icelandic.
associated with reduced Icelandic overall exposure increased with The influence of English
vocabulary and grammar in their age. At 3-7, exposure to English exposure on children’s Icelandic REFERENCE
test scores. was mainly via the internet, such grammar suggested only a few n Sigurjonsdottir, S. and Nowenstein,
The study had two parts. First, as YouTube, but from 8-12 this small influences, for example, I. (2021), ‘Language acquisition in
724 3-12-year-old Icelandic expanded to movies and social on the use of the subjunctive the digital age: L2 English input effects
children answered an online media as well. but no larger, overall effects. So, on children’s L1 Icelandic’, Second
survey (with parental assistance) Time spent on English media although Icelandic children are Language Research https://doi.org/
on their Icelandic vs English did not, however, lead to less increasingly exposed to English, 10.1177/02676583211005505

Bridge’s new courses prepare your teachers and
administrators with the training to successfully
implement the innovative CLIL (Content and Language EARN
Integrated Learning) teaching method institute-wide. DIGITAL
BADGES
• Gain a holistic understanding of the CLIL method.
• Meet local or national educational standards.
• Learn concrete strategies to put complex CLIL theories into practice.
• Take your school to the next level with accredited CLIL certification. Share on

Learn more at Bridge.edu/tefl

U.S. Department of COURSES Association for Quality
ACCREDITED BY Education Recognized RECOMMENDED College Credit RECOGNIZED Education and Training
Agency FOR CREDIT BY Recommendation Service BY Online
Bridge Education Group | 225 East 16th Avenue, Denver, CO 80203, USA | 1-303-785-8864 | Bridge.edu
editorial@elgazette.com 11