FACTORS INFLUENCING FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN THE EARLY  CHILDHOOD: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

Iqbal Ahmad; Itbar Khan; Nazia Saeed

Iqbal Ahmad Assistant Professor, Department of Education, University of Malakand, Pakistan
Itbar Khan Assistant Professor, Department of Education, University of Malakand, Pakistan
Nazia Saeed PhD Scholar, Department of Education, University of Malakand, Pakistan

Keywords: Foreign Language Acquisition, Early Childhood, Psychosocial Factors, & Preschool

Abstract

Children’s language development in early childhood is faster and accurate. However, there are many risks involved for children’s language learning in early childhood. This study examined factors affecting foreign language learning at early childhood in the context of Pakistan. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews from ten Early Childhood Education teachers (ECE) from three schools in district Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where early childhood education curriculum has been implemented. The qualitative research design was used, and thematic inductive technique was used for data analysis. The results showed that motivation played a key role in the foreign language acquisition during early childhood. Age and parental attitude were also important factors for learning language in early childhood. Learning opportunity and self-esteem affected foreign language acquisition during early childhood. Early childhood trainers, parents, and
teachers may keep these points in mind while working with children in learning a foreign language.

Author Biography

Nazia Saeed, PhD Scholar, Department of Education, University of Malakand, Pakistan

Department of Education