Write a PREreview

This study explored the quantitative language experiences of dual language learners (DLLs; n = 19) and English monolinguals (EM; n = 13) in preschool classrooms where English is the primary language of instruction. Using the Language ENvironment AnalysisTM system as a primary tool, we analyzed an average of 34 hours of recordings collected over 5 to 8 days for each participating child (Mage = 52 months) in 6 classrooms. Results showed that DLLs spoke as much as EMs but heard less adult talk overall and had more 5-minute recording segments with zero adult-child conversations than their English EM peers during typical preschool days. When we focused on adult-child conversational contexts, DLLs, relative to EMs, heard less adult talk during conversations that were child-initiated but not during conversations that were adult-initiated. Follow-up analyses also showed that teachers talk more and longer when they initiated conversations than when children initiated conversations for both DLLs and EMs, while children spoke more in child-initiated conversations. Study implications and future research are discussed.