Bilingual instruction in early childhood education, can it better develop children?

¹⁾ English lecturer, Universitas Nusa Cendana (UNDANA) Kupang, NTT Indonesia
²⁾ Senior researcher, Secretary General of DPR-RI, Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

This is a case study of teaching and learning using bilingual instruction in two schools of Early Childhood Education in Kupang-NTT, Indonesia. The aims of this study are to find out whether or not bilingual instruction in Early Childhood Education can better develop children (the outcomes) and if the issue of ‘the younger, the better” in children’s language acquisition in bilingual setting is acceptable and true. 4 students from one bilingual and one monolingual schools have been observed. In addition, parents and teachers of these students have also been interviewed. The data has then been analyzed qualitatively to come to the answers of the proposed questions, and the results reveal that bilingual instruction alone does not necessarily create better children unless it is supported by other factors, such as encouraging parents, professional teachers, and supporting environment. This is in a line with the findings of the issue about ‘the younger, the better’ in children’s language acquisition, that the younger does not always mean the better. Other aforementioned factors are needed in the development of children’s language acquisition. It’s recommended that all parties involved in children’s development can take part in developing their skills, knowledge as well as characters.