Early childhood educators' competences for supporting children's academic language skills in Germaniy.

Autor/inn/en	Michel, Marije; Ofner, Daniela; Thoma, Dieter
Titel	Early childhood educators' competences for supporting children's academic language skills in Germaniy.
Quelle	In: Language awareness, 23 (2014) 1-2, S. 138-156Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Link als defekt meldenVerfügbarkeit
Beigaben	Literaturangaben
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	online; gedruckt; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0965-8416; 1747-7565
DOI	10.1080/09658416.2013.863896
Schlagwörter	Bildungssprache; Kompetenz; Bildungsforschung; Diagnostik; Erzieher; Mehrsprachigkeit; Professionalisierung; Sprachkompetenz; Ausbildung; Diagnostik; Bildungsforschung; Kompetenz; Elementarbereich; Sprachförderung; Elementarbereich; Sprachförderung; Sprachkompetenz; Mehrsprachigkeit; Ausbildung; Professionalisierung; Qualifizierung; Erzieher
Abstract	This study investigates early childhood educators' language training competence that is required to support children's linguistic development. Hundred and forty-four early-years-professionals in Germany completed a computer-based assessment. We first tested knowledge of linguistic topics (e.g. morpho-syntax, developmental stages). Second, we probed their ability to make relevant linguistic observations in videotaped child-educator interactions. Third, we asked them to select adequate language interventions for the observed child. The participants' knowledge and observing ability scores were slightly above 50% but they scored low in selecting effective interventions. More detailed analyses indicate that those with a higher level of secondary education outperformed low-educated early-years-professionals. Only those with intensive specialist training were better equipped to choose appropriate intervention methods. We discuss the results in light of the current German and (inter-) national practice of early childhood educators' professional training and suggest a greater emphasis on linguistics and language awareness in their education.
Erfasst von	DIPF \| Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsforschung und Bildungsinformation, Frankfurt am Main
Update	2014/3