Second Language Learning in the Early School Years ― Trends and Contexts

Second Language Learning in the Early School Years: Trends and Contexts

This book provides a detailed exploration of L2 language learning in the early years, examining past and present research evidence on bilingualism, second language, and foreign language learning in childhood, and providing a broad overview of research findings across a range of different contexts. The discussion focuses on learning contexts that intersect with educational provision in the early school years and a comparison of L2 outcomes across those contexts

Murphy discusses current trends towards a younger starting age for foreign language learning. She evaluates to what extent `younger is better' in L2 learning in the early school years, and what other variables may contribute to successful child L2 outcomes. Reviewing the research, Second Language Learning in the Early School Years: Trends and Contexts argues that young children can learn multiple languages without adverse effect on their overall language development in any of their languages

Victoria A. Murphy is Associate Professor in Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition at the Department of Education, University of Oxford, and leads the Research in English as an Additional Language research team