Realia of the language development of young bilingual children: Lithuanian experience within the world context

Abstract

The results of the investigation. In the sphere of teaching Lithuanian recently the possibility has been raised to carry out radical changes not only in the perception of teaching the Lithuanian language as a mother tongue, but also of establishing a system of teaching the state language at kindergartens and schools for non-Lithuanian children. Such changes were determined by a spread of the ideas of multicultural education! the world where the problem of bilingualism is solved applying a number various solutions; however, whatever decision is applied, the focus is always laid on an individual and his/her needs. Possibilities for optimisation of bilingualism as a phenomenon are directly affected by an educational policy of a particular country, whereas the choice of a model of bilingual education is influenced by an attitude of the educational institution to bilingualism or multilingualism, which exist in reality. A variety of contents of the models is determined by the needs of a particular community, the objectives set by an educational institution and the resources available. Lately a new approach to a child and language teaching has been observed in Lithuania. Early bilingualism is perceived as an important social, multicultural and educational phenomenon, which requires an adequate response and professionally prepared curricula and methodologies. The first steps in this sphere are reflected by the recently developed and tested individual programmes: "The Lithuanian language in non-Lithuanian schools. Pre-elementary period' and 'The Lithuanian language development of pre-primary bilingual children'. The article deals with realia related to bilingual education. Lithuanian and foreign experience acquired while seeking to establish a sustainable educational system, applying the most effective models of bilingual education, which are capable of meeting the needs of developing linguistic skills of different ethnic minorities, including those of pre-school children, summarised within in context of bilingual education.