A child learns a second language in much the same way that they learned their first language. Practitioners need to be aware of these different stages and how to support a child through each of the phases.
Practitioners should always bear in mind that young bilingual children learn best through play. The first words that they speak in English are often phrases used by other children during play and interaction. Through listening and joining in with fluent models of English, they can learn the language in a natural context. Also through play and activities children can link the meaning of words to their experiences, for example, things that can be tasted, seen, heard or manipulated.
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