Supporting language learning in Early Childhood Education and Care

Language learning in the ECEC setting

ECEC participation can support the development of children’s competences in the language of education while also taking into account and respecting their first language. A curriculum for ECEC can take a holistic approach to support the child’s development, including opportunities for language development.

The toolkit for inclusive ECEC discusses multilingualism and language learning in ECEC settings, in keeping with the Council Recommendation on a comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages. The toolkit gives examples from several European countries.

In Slovenia, in areas where the Italian minority lives, children can attend bilingual ECEC and receive education in Slovenian while learning Italian as a second language or vice versa. The curriculum was expanded to support children and staff in these settings.

How to support language learning?

The Erasmus+ programme can support the development of the curriculum for early language development or acquiring a second language. For instance, the Kiitos@21st Century Preschools project developed a new pedagogical approach to language learning which includes skills such as critical thinking or emotional intelligence. It produced materials in English language teaching that other ECEC practitioners may reuse.

You can find more examples in the ECEC Erasmus+ brochure.

Other examples

The European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe encourages innovation in language teaching. It recognises the importance of early language learning and provides resources for curriculum development. The PEPELINO portfolio helps ECEC practitioners to reflect on their competences regarding the plurilingual and intercultural dimension of working with young children.