“Increasingly, children are likely to be learning in and through more than one language. Besides English, te reo Māori, and New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL), some 200 different languages are in use in New Zealand, with Samoan, Hindi, Northern Chinese, French, and Yue (Cantonese) being the most common. Children more readily become bi- or multilingual and bi- or multiliterate when language learning in the education setting builds on their home languages." (Te Whāriki, p. 12)

Benefits of bilingual and multilingual learning 

"Kaiako in early learning have a vital part to play by educating families about the advantages of bilingualism, by helping children retain their bilingual identities and their family ties, and by preparing them to live in a diverse society.”¹ 

A diverse language environment promotes an understanding of concepts and values associated with identity, language, and culture. 

Becoming proficient in two or more languages is a proven advantage in any language learning. Research shows that fostering bilingualism (and multilingualism) supports children to develop strengths in cognitive and social learning. 

Being bilingual enables children to: 

• communicate with people in their families, communities, and learning environments 
• relate to others – participate in cultural activities and connect with others in the community 
• learn new words and learn additional languages 
• develop bi-literacy or multi-literacy skills and have access to additional literatures, traditions, and ideas to enrich their later learning 
• access and apply cultural knowledge that is embedded in language² 
• demonstrate flexible thinking and be able to use information in new ways 
• come up with new solutions to problems.^{3, 4} 

Understanding bilingual language learning pathways 

Fostering children’s oral language in Aotearoa involves bilingual and multilingual language learning pathways. Kaiako have an important role in integrating te reo Māori inyo everyday activities. Promoting the learning and use of home languages in the early learning setting affirms children’s culture and identity. 

Being aware of each child’s language learning pathway helps kaiako make thoughtful observations, formative assessments, and consider how to support learning and development in ways that acknowledge their linguistic and cultural strengths. 

There are two pathways for children becoming bilingual: 

• developing two (or more) languages from birth 
• second (or subsequent) language learning. 

Code-switching 

Children can learn more than one language system at the same rate as monolingual learning. Expect children to combine elements of languages in one sentence as a typical feature of bilingual/multilingual interactions. 

Receptive and expressive language 

Expect in all language learning that children’s receptive language (knowledge and understanding of language) is a step ahead of their expressive language (what they can express). 

In this video, Nola Harvey shares her thoughts on bilingual and multilingual language learners.