Abstract:

There is a marked difference between second language acquisition in natural environments and instructed second language acquisition (ISLA); the latter referring to educational environments and pedagogy. Various theoretical and pedagogical perspectives contribute to ISLA, but the link between second language pedagogy and language acquisition is complex and not straightforward. Learners generally do not attain fluency and proficiency in a language solely through instruction, even after prolonged periods. Scholars agree, nonetheless, that early exposure to the target language is crucial in achieving some baseline in ISLA. Furthermore, to promote second language acquisition both inside and outside an early education setting, a mobile application can be a useful tool to provide a preschool child with an immersive language experience. In 2023, the BABO project was created with this goal in mind.

This is an Erasmus+ funded project comprising of Baby Erasmus (Spain), Munster Technological University (Ireland), University of Extremadura (Spain), Superlexi (Belgium), La Rueda Kindergarten (Austria), Tecnologias Imaginadas (Portugal), The Glow Animation Studio (Spain), Mother Tongues (Ireland) and Smart Makings (Spain). BABO is a timely project following the European Commission report “Education begins with language” (June 2020) which seeks to support the implementation of the recommendation of the Council of the European Union (EU) for a comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages.

The main focus of the BABO project is the teaching of a second language in preschool in an innovative way offering ECEC (Early Childhood Education and Care) educators and families new educational digital resources. The BABO project aims to address three main issues, namely: the lack of digital educational resources in ECEC, the lack of innovation in ECEC with regard to second language acquisition and the need for a high-quality multilingual education in European ECEC settings. In addressing these issues, the project has identified the following objectives: the promotion of both effective ISLA in ECEC settings through innovative digital education. The project consortium is developing four interconnected project outcomes, namely a pedagogical guide, gamification, BABO cartoons and the BABO mobile app. These will be combined to create an educational pack that through blended learning will promote the learning of languages inside and outside ECEC settings by involving ECEC practitioners and families.

This presentation will outline the background to the project, demonstrate the educational resources developed and present preliminary findings.

Keywords:

Second language acquisition, ECEC, immersive language, digital education.