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Learning Mandarin in Singapore Preschools: Laying the Foundation for Multilingualism

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Published/Copyright: September 13, 2016
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Abstract

Singapore’s multilingual and multicultural sociolinguistic ecology probably makes it one of the best places in the world to nurture strong bilingualism. However, English is fast becoming the mother tongue of Singapore Chinese children. This is due to the fact that over the years of building the country’s economy, English has taken over as the medium of instruction in schools and the working language of the society, as well as the main language spoken in the homes. This paper examines the Chinese language education in Singapore preschools and explains how a change in preschool education policy can help children lay a better foundation for bilingualism, giving them a higher chance of success in later years (Yip and Matthews 2007. The bilingual child: early development and language contact. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). This paper will address the issue of Mandarin in particular, although it is true for other ‘mother tongues’ (Malay and Tamil) as well.

摘要

新加坡是个多元文化的国家, 拥有培养多语多文化最佳的社会语言环境。可惜英语已经成为新加坡华族孩子的第一语言。这是因为在建国的过程中, 英语成为发展国家经济的重要语言, 然后又成为学校的主要教学媒体, 甚至是家庭中使用的主要语言。本文探讨新加坡学前的华语教育状况, 解释学前教育应该加强学习华语和使用华语的时间, 这样能为新加坡小孩日后的双语教育打下更好的基础 (Yip and Matthews 2007. The bilingual child: early development and language contact. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)。本文主要讨论新加坡华语的状况, 其他种族的所谓 ‘母语’(如马来族的马来语和印度族的淡米尔语)也可以此类推。

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Published Online: 2016-9-13
Published in Print: 2016-9-1

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