Level 2 / 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000
T 61 3 9642 4899
F 61 3 9642 4922
office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
Media Release
Saturday 17 May 2014
Bilingual children at an advantage
Children learning more than one language at the same time are not disadvantaged and
even have larger vocabularies than their monolingual counterparts, a new study has
found.
Part of the longitudinal Early Language in Victoria Study, the study’s results will be
presented at Speech Pathology Australia’s National Conference next week.
Researcher Dr Ruth Nicholls said that the study looked at the number and type of words
used by two year old bilingual children from a large group of Victorian children from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“This study shows that provided both languages are taken into account, bilingual
children’s vocabulary development is not disadvantaged by learning another language
simultaneously,” Dr Nicholls said.
“Even though bilingual children’s expressive vocabulary – the number of words children
can use and combine to communicate their meaning – may be smaller in each of their
individual languages if compared with their monolingual peers, their total vocabulary
across all of the languages they speak is typically larger.
“This is important as it helps determine whether a bilingual child is developing language
typically.”
Almost 20 per cent of Australians speak a language other than English at home and it is
estimated that two-thirds of the world’s children grow up in bilingual environments.
“The findings from this study are important as they extend the existing research about
how bilingual children develop language during early childhood,” Dr Nicholls said.
“It also emphasises the need for speech pathologists and other early childhood
professional to measure both languages when assessing bilingual children’s vocabulary.”
Speech Pathology Australia’s National Conference 2014 Connections: client. clinician.
context will take place at Crown Conference Centre in Melbourne from 18-21 May.
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The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited
ABN 17 008 393 440
Level 2 / 11-19 Bank Place
Melbourne Victoria 3000
T 61 3 9642 4899
F 61 3 9642 4922
office@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
To arrange an interview with Dr Ruth Nicholls contact:
Joanna Wood on 0430 633 234 or jwood@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au
About Speech Pathology Australia
Speech Pathology Australia is the national peak body for more than 6,000 members.
SPA supports and regulates the ethical, clinical and professional standards of its
members, while also lobbying and advocating for all Australians living with
communication and swallowing difficulties.
Speech Pathology Australia’s 2014 Conference
Local and international industry experts will examine topical issues at this year’s
conference.
The Conference theme is Connections: client. clinician. context and will showcase the
innovative contributions of speech pathologists in advancing choices, knowledge and
access.
Held at the Crown Conference Centre, Melbourne, the conference will run from 18-21
May 2014.
The Speech Pathology Association of Australia Limited
ABN 17 008 393 440