Inspiring language learning in the early years
Why it matters and what it looks like for children age 3-12

Quiz & FAQ

Myth or fact?

1. My mother tongue is all I need.

Myth Fact
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2. I’m not bilingual/multilingual. I can only speak one language.

Myth Fact
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3. Most people in the world use more than one language.

Myth Fact
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4. English is the only language children need.

Myth Fact
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5. Children get confused if they learn more than one language at the same time.

Myth Fact
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6. I can’t help a child to learn or use a language I don’t know (well enough) myself.

Myth Fact
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7. If learners don’t know the language of schooling, they’ll learn it best by being exposed to that language only - and by using that language only.

Myth Fact
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8. Continued use of the home language(s) will interfere with children’s learning of the language of schooling.

Myth Fact
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9. My job is to teach X as a foreign language and not to deal with other languages in my classroom.

Myth Fact

Foire aux questions

Frequently asked questions

Inspiring language learning in the early years
Why it matters and what it looks like for children age 3-12

Quiz & FAQ

Myth or fact?

Foire aux questions

Frequently asked questions



Pourquoi encourager les enfants à parler leurs langues maternelles ? Se concentrer sur l’apprentissage de la langue de scolarisation est la meilleure façon de l’apprendre. Comment l’utilisation continue de la ou des langues maternelles d’un enfant peut-elle contribuer à l’apprentissage de la ou des langues de scolarisation ? Quels sont les avantages de la sensibilisation aux langues ? Où puis-je trouver le temps de me préparer à toutes ces langues ? Qu’en est-il des enfants (et de leurs parents) dont la langue maternelle est la langue de scolarisation ou l’une d’entre elles ? Ne vont-ils pas considérer le temps passé avec d’autres langues maternelles comme un gaspillage ? Je sais que je peux utiliser l’internet pour trouver des traductions du contenu dans les langues des enfants de mon groupe/classe. Cependant, je n’ai pas le temps de le faire. Comment puis-je savoir si ce que les enfants me disent dans leur(s) langue(s) maternelle(s) est correct ? Mon groupe/ma classe ne sera-t-il/elle pas chaotique avec toutes ces langues supplémentaires en circulation ? Comment l’autonomie de l’apprenant s’applique-t-elle à l’apprentissage des langues ? Qu’entendez-vous par « environnement éducatif participatif plutôt que didactique/instructif » ? Ce partage des responsabilités ne remet-il pas en cause le rôle de l’enseignant ou de l’éducateur ? Les enfants n’auront-ils pas assez à faire dans l’apprentissage de la langue de scolarisation et du contenu des programmes sans travail supplémentaire dans leurs langues maternelles ? Comment puis-je corriger le travail des enfants écrit dans la langue de la maison ?



Why support children’s home languages? Concentrating on learning the language of schooling is the best way to learn it. How can continued use of a children’s home languages contribute to learning the language(s) of schooling? What are the benefits of language awareness? Where do I get the time to prepare for all these languages? What about children (and their parents) whose home languages are the language(s) of schooling? Won’t they see the time spent with other home languages as a waste? I know I can use the internet to find translations of the content into the languages of the children in my group/class. However, I just haven’t time to do this. How will I know if what children tell me in their home language(s) is correct? Won’t my group/class be chaotic with all these extra languages on the go? How does learner autonomy apply to language learning? What do you mean by a ‘participatory rather than a didactic/instructive educational environment’? Doesn’t this sharing of responsibility undermine the teacher’s/ educator’s role? Won’t children have enough to do in learning the language of schooling and curriculum content without additional work in their home languages? How can I correct children’s work written in home language?

Inspiring language learning in the early years Why it matters and what it looks like for children age 3-12

Quiz & FAQ

Myth or fact?

Teachers, educators and parents often have a lot of preconceived ideas about languages and language learning – especially about young learners. Some of these ideas are misconceptions or myths. In the quiz below you have an opportunity to reflect on your own ideas and attitudes.

This quiz is available in many more languages on the site of the European Day of Languages:

Foire aux questions

Frequently asked questions

Inspiring language learning in the early years
Why it matters and what it looks like for children age 3-12