Multilingual Early Language Transmission (MELT) - Mercator ...

Further, an active language interaction amongst children, in addition to the interaction
between children and adults is a prerequisite for optimal language development. If there is a
rich and stimulating environment for the minority language, there is a basis to learn the
majority language as well. Offering quality language input through training and qualified preschool
staff is necessary for the development of multingualism.
Language is the most critical tool for children throughout their lives. Children learn the
languages they feel they require, because naturally they want to communicate with adults
and children they engage with on a daily basis. To learn a language, children must be
allowed to listen to others using the language and to produce it themselves. While working
at a pre-school setting, practitioners are an important linguistic model for the children, and
therefore have a critical role to play. Repeating words, phrases and concepts is an excellent
habit, as children need to acquire them in order to make them part of their own language.
Adults are the ones who are responsible for encouraging children to speak.
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