A Preliminary Study On The Development Of Early Childhood Language Learning Environment Rating Scale

In theory,the evaluation on early childhood language learning supportive environment has not be sufficiently researched.In reality,there are many puzzles and problems in language education practice of preschool in our country.In this context,this study conducted a preliminary study on the development of Early Childhood Language Learning Environment Rating Scale based on the Chinese Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale(CECERS).This study aimed to provide empirical evidence and basis of theoretical framework for developing of the Early Childhood Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale),which has perfect structure and function.and suits to our country's preschool language education situation.This study mainly consisted of three interrelated parts:1.Preliminarily developing the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version)based on the indicators of CECERS.2 Analyzing the reliability and validity of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version).3.Proposing amendments to the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version).In the first part,the development research of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version)based on CECERS was divided into three steps.(1)Selecting indicators.Based on the related theories and the operational definition of this study,the researcher preliminarily selected 67 directly related indicators and 63 indirectly related indicators.(2)Expert evaluation.27 experts were invited to fill out the Questionnaire on Indicators of Early Childhood Language Learning Supportive Environment.The items of questionnaire were mainly composed of the indicators indirectly related to early childhood language learning,which were selected from the CECERS.And the researcher eliminated 47 indirect indicators that were not highly relevant to children's language learning based on the results of the questionnaire.(3)Forming the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version).Through item analyzing and hierarchical cluster analyzing for the selected indicators,and combining the result of this questionnaire on the Classification of Indicators of Early Childhood Language Learning Supportive Environment,the indicators' number,rank and evaluative dimensions of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version)were finally determined.In the second part,this study explored reliability and validity of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version)based on existing data(A national-wide sample of 270 preschool classrooms and 1,168 children were recruited from 21 district of eight provinces/municipality of China.).Results indicated that the internal consistency reliability coefficient of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version)was 0.938,which was at a high level.The correlation between the score of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version)and children's language development level was more significant than the correlation between the score of the CECERS and children's language development level.And the score of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version)could predict children's language development level more effectively.However,the classification of indicators showed that the quantity of indicators was unevenly distributed on the dimension and some dimensions lacked the corresponding indicators.Therefore,the scale needs to be further revised and perfected.In the third part,In view of the low expected performance of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version),the researcher conducted more in-depth theoretical discussion on the early childhood language learning supportive environment evaluation so as to point out the direction of further revision of the scale.Based on the characteristics,content and methods of early children's language learning and development,experts suggestions,and the evaluation instruments related to language learning environment at home and abroad,the theoretical framework of early childhood language learning supportive environment evaluation was formed.lt mainly contained three aspects:language learning materials/space,language interaction in daily life,and special language education activities.Based on the above research,the researcher proposed improved suggestions of the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale(trial version).1.Some indicators need to be reclassified based on content framework of early childhood language learning supportive environment evaluation.2.Making appropriate revisions to some indicators which are highly generalized or ambiguous.3.The researcher should increase some indicators based on new content framework,which makes the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale more perfect.Considering the limitations of this study,it is expected that the future study obtain more representative sample to analyze the validity of the content framework of early childhood language learning supportive environment evaluation.And it can make corresponding adjustment and improvement for the Language Learning Environment Rating Scale based on the current proposals of the scale.