Challenges, opportunities, risks and hopes. Making the voice of non-English speaking children stronger in early years provision [Aberdeen]
In the last decade, the needs of young children who are learning English as an Additional Language has been a popular research topic in the area of ‘multilingual education’ (Gorter et al., 2013), with a view of enabling children to have full access to the curriculum (Conteh et al., 2007). However, if the focus of the research is centred on children’s experience in Early Years settings, rather than their needs, the situation in which a shared language is unavailable appears to be under-examined. Moreover, while there is research on the adaptation strategies of the non-English speaking children (Drury, 2007), there is still a gap concerning the multilingual settings as a complex network of relationships.
Young bilingual learners at home and school: researching multilingual voices
Young bilingual learners at home and school: researching multilingual voices, by Rose Drury, Stoke-on-Trent, UK, Trenthan Books, 2007, iv+113 pp., $29.95 (Paperback) ISBN 13:9781858563558 Young Bil...
Science fairs as learning tool for teaching excellence
Science fairs are usually considered to be a pedagogical and cultural activity that involves the students actively. Gifted students need challenges to further develop their skills while maintaining the motivation level. Science fairs may provide the informal environment that will request and allow these students of excellence to challenge themselves by developing a scientific research project. Despite being well known in different countries, in Portugal first steps are being made on the use and implementation of science fairs as effective pedagogical tool. In this work, we will present a 4 years study that was developed on a Portuguese school with the main goal of evaluating the advantages of this informal way of teaching. The study includes an analysis of the evolution of the students’ knowledge that have participated, or visited, the different science fairs. Some advices for the implementation of these projects will be given. The motivation of the students was monitored as well as the knowledge and skills effectively improved by this activity.