The Influence of First Language Acquisition on Early Childhood Language Literacy: The Case of Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos State
Abstract
First language (L1) is the language a person has learned from birth or within the critical period. The learner speaks L1 fluently and it is often the basis for cultural identification. First language might not be the native language or mother tongue (MT) of an individual, but it might be the language of the environment in which an individual grows up. This study investigates the influence of L1 on the early childhood language literacy and how it contributes to children’s early years’ language proficiency. A four Likert scale questionnaire was used to elicit information from 50 primary school teachers in Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos State. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentages and frequency counts, while Chi square was used to test the hypothesis formulated. The study found out that first language has great influence on early childhood language literacy. Recruitment and preparation of teachers who are proficient in L1 and also have the knowledge of practices to teach the content areas are very crucial. These support the children learning the language. Parental support is also very essential to enhance the success of L1 acquisition. Instructional materials for both teachers and students also need to be available in the language instruction.
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