Addressing the Global Challenge of Educational Inequality: Supporting Children’s Early Learning and Language Development in Culturally Diverse Contexts in the Home and Early Years Settings(Joint research with IOE)
Addressing the Global Challenge of Educational Inequality: Supporting Children’s Early Learning and Language Development in Culturally Diverse Contexts in the Home and Early Years Settings
Brief background and the aim of the project
Research shows that early language development during the preschool years is strongly associated with later educational achievement, and the important role of the environment (in and outside the home) in fostering positive learning experiences (Law et al, 2017; Sylva et al 2012). Supporting early learning and language development in culturally diverse contexts is especially crucial for children whose home language is different from the language used in formal learning settings such as a school or preschool. However, even though preschools and schools have become increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse in both Japan and England, few early years settings (less than 5% in Japan) are able to effectively cater for children from culturally diverse backgrounds, particularly those with home languages different from their formal learning language.
Members
Professor Sachiko Asai | Professor in Education and Deputy Director of CEDEP, The University of Tokyo |
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Dr Sachiko Nozawa | Associate Professor in Developmental Psychology, CEDEP, The University of Tokyo |
Dr Yu Ishii | Assistant Professor in Developmental Psychology, CEDEP, The University of Tokyo |
Professor Mikiko Tabu | Prof Emerita in ECEC, Seitoku University |
Professor Lynn Ang | Professor in Early Childhood Education, UCL Institute of Education |
Dr Georgina Merchant | Lecturer in Teacher Education, UCL Institute of Education |
Dr Sinead Harmey | Associate Professor in Literacy Education, UCL Institute of Education |
Dr Rachael Levy | Associate Professor in Early Years Literacy and Language Development, UCL Institute of Education |