Journal of East China Normal University(Educationa ›› 2014, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (1): 11-19.

• Balanced development of Education • Previous Articles     Next Articles

The development of Mandarin acquisition of Uygur children in Bilingual Preschools in Xinjiang

Zhou Jing & Li Chuanjiang & Du Lijun & Wang Feixia & Chen Si   

  1. Center for Chinese Research and Application, East China Normal University; Preschool and Special Education School, East China Normal University
  • Online:2014-03-20 Published:2014-04-14
  • Contact: Zhou Jing & Li Chuanjiang & Du Lijun & Wang Feixia & Chen Si
  • About author:Zhou Jing & Li Chuanjiang & Du Lijun & Wang Feixia & Chen Si

Abstract: This study explores the development of Mandarin acquisition of Uygur children in Xinjiang. Participants are 384 Uygur children aged from three to six randomly selected from 24 local bilingual kindergartens. PPVT, EVT and other language tools are applied to assess children’s language development. Children's development of MLU, as well as other measurement, is also examined through electronic language database analysis (CHILDES). Findings show a development profile that children’s receptive language, expressive language, narrative language, academic language and MLU gradually develop as with ages. Result also indicates that there are some characteristics of young Uygur children in learning Mandarin Chinese. Therefore, suggestions are made to promote early bilingual education in Xinjiang as follows. First, an integrative and balanced model could be adopted for bilingual environment of preschool education; Second, attention should be paid to introduction of reading and picture books at the early age due to the gap of Mandarin acquisition between ethnic preschool children and Han children; Third a high quality Mandarin language input process should be built for ethnic minority Children

Key words: Xin Jiang, Preschool Ethnic Children, Mandarin Development