Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.6115/fer.2020.039

Effects of Education and Mothers' Perceptions regarding English Education on Preschoolers' Interests in Learning English: A Comparison between General Kindergartens and English Immersion Institutes  

Choi, Naya (Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Seoul National University)
Park, You-Me (Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Seoul National University)
Choi, Jisu (Department of Child Development and Family Studies, Seoul National University)
Publication Information
Human Ecology Research / v.58, no.4, 2020 , pp. 585-599 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study investigated children's interests in learning English, affected by educational activities in and out of institutes, and mothers' perceptions regarding early childhood English education. We recruited, 253 mothers of 3- to 5-year-old children in either general kindergartens or English immersion institutes. They answered questions on socioeconomic status, perceived interest in English by their children, their perceptions regarding early childhood English education, and English education outside institutes. In addition, 42 English teachers provided information within institutes such as class time per week, teacher-pupil rate, and language use policy during class. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS 22 for frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis. The major findings are as follows. First, the two groups were in distinct learning environment. Second, mothers' perceptions and outside-institute activities were significantly different between the two groups. Third, the English interests of children at both institutes were influenced by mothers' worries and at-home English interactions. Fourth, education within institutes did not affect both group's English interests. Fifth, private education and socioeconomic status did not affect both group's English interests. Lastly, only the children's interests in English immersion institutes were affected by gender and mother's perceived necessities. Focusing children's interests, this study helps in understanding young children's affective aspects regarding learning English. The findings are expected to be a guideline for each home and institute to increase children's interest in learning English.
Keywords
early childhood English education; English learning interest; mothers' perceptions; English immersion institute;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Kim, M. J. (2012). The effects of attendance at English medium early childhood programs on the development of young children's sociolinguistic competence in classrooms. The Korean Society for Early Childhood Teacher Education, 16(5), 459-486.
2 Kim, Y. H. (2009). Analysis of interest level for children at the age seven in English classes between English kindergarten and Korean kindergarten students and parents' perception and expectation (Unpublished master's thesis). Sook-myung Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
3 Kim, Y. I. (2018). A study on the understanding and needs of kindergartens' teachers and parents for the after school English class. Educational Research Institute Kyung Nam University, 27, 31-49.
4 Kwon, E. Y. (2019). Public perception of 'early English education' through an analysis of social media big data: Focusing on YouTube. Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics, 19(4), 858-879. https://doi.org/10.15738/kjell.19.4.201912.858   DOI
5 Loulidi, R. (1990). Is language learning really a female business? Language Learning Journal, 1 (1), 40-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571739085200141   DOI
6 Ma, S. H. (2003). The study on the relationship among preschoolers' English education, metalinguistic awareness, Korean and English vocabulary. The Journal of Korea Open Association for Early Childhood Education, 8(3), 253-272.
7 Ma, S. H. (2008). A model for an integrative English education at kindergarten. Journal of Korea Open Association for Early Childhood Education, 13(4), 221-245.
8 Burstall, C. (1975). Factors affecting foreign-language learning: A consideration of some recent research findings. Language Teaching, 8(1), 5-25. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444800002585   DOI
9 Song, S. M. (2005). A comparative study of mothers' beliefs on early English education between ESL and EFL contexts. Korean Journal of Human Ecology, 14(5), 749-760.
10 Bredekamp, S., & Copple, C. (1997). Developmentally appropriate practice in early childhood programs. Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
11 Cho, S. M. (2002). A survey study of early education of English in kindergarten & childcare centers(Unpublished master's thesis). Silla University, Busan, Korea.
12 Yang, M. S. (2015). Use of special activities for daycare centers and after-school specialization programs for kindergarten and improvement plans. Retrieved October 1, 2020, from http://repo.kicce.re.kr/handle/2019.oak/4568
13 Stipek, D., Milburn, S., Clements, D., & Daniels, D. H. (1992). Parents' beliefs about appropriate education for young children. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 13 (2), 293-310. https://doi.org/10.1016/0193-3973(92)90034-F   DOI
14 Super, C. M., & Harkness, S. (1986). The developmental niche: A conceptualization at the interface of child and culture. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 9(4), 545-569. https://doi.org/10.1177/016502548600900409   DOI
15 Whang, H. S., & Whang, H. J. (2000). The language development of bilingual children speaking Korean and English. Korean Journal of Child Studies, 21(4), 69-79.
16 Yang, O. S., Kim, J. Y., Kim, H. H., & Kim, Y. S. (2001). A study on English education in private kindergartens in Korea. Korean Journal of Child Studies, 22(4), 299-313.
17 Yong, S. H., & Lee, S. H. (2018). Mothers' experiences on early childhood English education for their children. The Journal of the Korea Contents Association, 18(12), 14-24. https://doi.org/10.5392/JKCA.2018.18.12.014   DOI
18 Son, B. R. (2013). Analysis on demands and perceptions of parents on English education program of private kindergartens(Unpublished master's thesis). Sook-myung Women's University, Seoul, Korea.
19 Choi, J. Y. (2001). The effect of the role play and game of communicative approach in terms of infant's English on the interest. The Journal of Korea Open Association for Early Childhood Education, 6(2), 41-68.
20 Choi, N. Y., Cho, H. J., Kang, S. J., & Sheo, J. Y. (2019). Development of young children's English learning interest and anxiety rating scale. Journal of Early Childhood Education & Educare Welfare, 23(3), 7-38.
21 Ban, K., & Seo, H. (2009). A study of perception and actual fact for the early English language learning of the young children by the social and economic status of the preschooler's parents. Humanities Publications, 14(1), 121-148.
22 Boo, K. S. (2003). An investigation into the effects of early English education on primary English education: Focused on third-graders. Primary English Education, 9(2), 123-148.
23 Choi, J. Y., & Yang, H. J. (2012). The comparison of the children's adaptations to the early elementary school depending on the types of preschool education institutions and their gender. Journal of Future Early Childhood Education, 19(2), 265-286.
24 Choi, N., Kang, S., Cho, H. J., & Sheo, J. (2019). Promoting young children's interest in learning English in EFL context: The role of mothers. Education Sciences, 9(1), 46. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci9010046   DOI
25 Chung, E. K. (2010). The first selection and the re-selection of early childhood educational institution and private institute in mothers of having children in the early childhood(Unpublished master's thesis). Ehwa Womans University, Seoul, Korea.
26 Powell, R. C., & Batters, J. D. (1985). Pupils' perceptions of foreign language learning at 12+: Some gender differences. Educational Studies, 11(1), 11-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/0305569850110102   DOI
27 Ma, S. H. (2016). Trends in research of English education for young children: A focus on domestic research from 2006 to 2015. Korean Education Inquiry, 34(4), 125-149. http://dx.doi.org/10.22327/kei.2016.34.4.125   DOI
28 Min, C. K. (2008). The problems and remedial alternatives of English immersion education in Korea. The Korea English Education Society, 7(1), 109-123.
29 Park, H. R., & Han, S. K. (2010). Preference survey of bilingual education for the children of multicultural family. Language Facts and Perspectives, 26, 197-225.
30 Ra, M. H. (2009). Analysis of interest level in English classes between English kindergarten and regular kindergarten students(Unpublished master's thesis). Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
31 Seo, H. A., Choi, M. H., Jwa, S. H., & Cheon, H. Y. (2003). The effects of English education environments before and after entering elementary school on English fluency of third graders. Journal of Future Early Childhood Education, 10(4), 299-319.
32 Hawng, K. H. (2015). The effects of mother's perception about early childhood English education on preschoolers' attitudes toward learning English(Unpublished master's thesis). Catholic University, Seoul, Korea.
33 Combs, M. C., Evans, C., Fletcher, T., Parra, E., & Jimenez, A. (2005). Bilingualism for the children: Implementing a dual-language program in an English-only state. Educational Policy, 19(5), 701-728. https://doi.org/10.1177/0895904805278063   DOI
34 Dewey, J. (1913). Interest and effort in education. Boston: Riverside.
35 Kwon, K. Y. (2015). Understandings and practices about children's interest: Early childhood teachers' misunderstandings, confusion, and conflicts. Korean Journal of Early Childhood Education, 35(2), 237-262. https://doi.org/10.18023/kjece.2015.35.2.011   DOI
36 Lee, B. M. (2002). An early English education: Its effects and significance in the Korean EFL context. Foreign Language Education Research, 5, 13-37.
37 Lee, J. A. (2015). A study on mother's of perception of early education of their preschoolers: Focusing on the difference of educational aspiration by social class. The Korean Journal of Creativity & Problem Solving, 11(1), 131-153.
38 Han, Y. M., & Cho, B. H. (1999). Relationships among language ability, foreign language learning experience, and metalinguistic ability in Korean preschool children. Korean Journal of Child Studies, 20(3), 199-216.
39 Harkness, S., Super, C. M., Bermudez, M. R., Moscardino, U., Rha, J. H., Mavridis, C. J. et al. (2010). Parental ethnotheories of children's learning. In D. F. Lancy, J. Bock, & S. Gaskins (Eds.), The anthropology of learning in childhood (pp. 65-81). Lanham, MD: AltaMira Press.
40 Hawng, K. H., & Choi, N. Y. (2017). Effects of mothers' perceptions about early childhood English education on preschoolers' attitudes toward learning English. Journal of Early Childhood Education & Educare Welfare, 21(1), 189-211. https://doi.org/10.22590/ecee.2017.21.1.189   DOI
41 Lee, Y. S. (2005). Children's metalinguistic ability and English learning interest according to the degree of English learning experience (Unpublished master's thesis). Pusan University, Busan, Korea.
42 Lee, J. S., & Lee, Y. G. (2011). The effect of parents' academic background on children's academic achievement: The mediation of poverty, delinquency, the parent-child relationship and self-esteem. Korean Journal of Family Welfare, 16(1), 65-88.
43 Lee, K. Y., & Jung, J. S. (1998). The educational value of Dewey's theory of interest. The Korean Journal of Child Education, 7(1), 109-122.
44 Lee, S. G., & Lee, J. H. (2015). A study of the parents' view on English education for early childhood. Studies in Modern Grammar, 84, 115-140. https://doi.org/10.14342/smog.2015.84.115   DOI
45 Lee, Y. S., & Lee, U. J. (2018). Perception of teachers and parents on early childhood English education. Korean Journal of Early Childhood Education, 20(3), 153-174. https://doi.org/10.15409/riece.2018.20.3.7   DOI
46 Long, M. H. (1981). Input, interaction, and second-language acquisition. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 379, 259-278. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.1981.tb42014.x   DOI
47 Jun, H. J. (2011). English education for young children: A media discourse analysis. Korean Journal of Early Childhood Education, 31(1), 351-376.   DOI
48 Hwang, S. H., & Kim, J. Y. (2017). The effects of task-based craft activities using English storybooks on children's English vocabulary learning, retention, and interest. English Language & Literature Teaching, 23(2), 103-130.
49 Hwang, S. S., & Kang, B. J. (2016). A study of the bilingual language use of children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Journal of Speech & Hearing Disorders, 25(1), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.15724/jslhd.2016.25.1.012   DOI
50 Jo, H. S., & Lee, Y. S. (2004). A comparative research on children's metalinguistic ability and English learning interest according to the degree of English learning experience. Child Educare Research Institute Pusan National University, 10, 123-136.
51 Kim, J. Y., & Kim, T. Y. (2016). A qualitative study of early childhood English by kindergarten English teachers according to their major. Korean Education Inquiry , 34(3), 67-91. https://doi.org/10.22327/ kei.2016.34.3.067   DOI
52 Kang, S., & Lee, Y. (2018). A study on social perception of earlychildhood English education based on big data and social network analysis. Journal of Future Early Childhood Education, 25, 141-168. https://doi.org/10.22155/JFECE.25.2.141.168   DOI
53 Kang, Y., Jeong, Y., & Kim, K. (2009). A study on the effect of using multimedia on young childrens interest and confidence in English. The Journal of Korea Open Association for Early Childhood Education, 14(6), 207-224.
54 Kim, E. A. (1995). Survey research on the actual condition and recognition on the early English education (Unpublished master's thesis). Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Korea.