Abstrakt
This paper presents an in-depth evaluation of a Multilingual Kindergarten Model (MU-KI Koper) developed in Slovenia aimed at integrating pluralistic approaches to language learning into early childhood education. The model activities were carried out over a period of nine months. The data were collected through focus group discussions with parents and in-service preschool teachers engaged in the implementation of the model, an online questionnaire for parents and through semi-structured interviews with the children (aged 5-6) involved in the model implementation. We explored the efficacy of the model by focusing on the following categories: the suitability and perception of effectiveness of the activities in meeting the needs of the pre-school curriculum in the area of developing multilingual competences, the children’s response to the programme, and the parents’ expectations and their feedback on meeting their expectations regarding the implementation of the model. The findings reveal that the Multilingual Kindergarten Model effectively supports children’s cognitive, linguistic and affective development through age- and developmentally-appropriate activities, while fostering early language awareness, positive attitudes towards languages and cultural curiosity.
Bibliografia
Bratož S., Sila A. (2022), Analysing preschoolers’ awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity through the DivCon model., (in:) Porta Linguarum Revista Interuniversitaria de Didáctica de Las Lenguas Extranjeras, pp. 115–131. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30827/portalin.vi.26211
Bratož S., Štemberger T., Pirih A. (2024), Slovenian children’s perceptions of and attitudes towards foreign languages. “International Journal of Multilingualism”, No 21(3), pp. 1239–1256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14790718.2022.2156520
Bruner J. (1990), Acts of meaning: Four lectures on mind and culture (Vol. 3). Harvard: Harvard University Press.
Candelier M., Kervran M. (2018), 1997–2017: Twenty years of innovation and research about awakening to languages-Evlang heritage. “International Journal of Bias, Identity and Diversities in Education (IJBIDE)”, No 3(1), pp. 10–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4018/IJBIDE.2018010102
Candelier M., Camilleri A., Castellotti V., De Pietro J. F., Lőrincz I., Meißner F. J., Noguerol A., Schröder-Sura A. (2010), A framework of reference for pluralistic approaches to languages and cultures. Competences and resources. Council of Europe.
Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia. (1991). Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia. Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 33/91-I. Online: https://www.us-rs.si/media/constitution.pdf [Accessed 09.01.2025].
Correia Ibrahim N. (2023), Educating early years and primary English language teachers multilingually. (in:) Valente, D., Xerri, D. (eds.), Innovative practices in early English language education, Cham: Springer International Publishing, pp. 233–257. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12922-3_12
Cotič Pajntar J., Marjanovič Umek L., Zore N. (2022), Izhodišča za prenovo Kurikuluma za vrtce. Ljubljana: Zavod Republike Slovenije za šolstvo. Online: https://www.gov.si/assets/ministrstva/MVI/Dokumenti/Razvoj-solstva/Kurikularna-prenova/Izhodisca_za_prenovo_kurikula_za_vrtce_2022_ZRSS.pdf [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Council of Europe (2001), Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment. Online: https://rm.coe.int/1680459f97 [Accessed 20.01.2025].
Cummins J. (2017), Multilingualism in classroom instruction: “I think it’s helping my brain grow”. “Scottish Languages Review”, No 33, pp. 5–18.
Darquennes J. (2017), Language awareness and minority languages. (in:) Cenoz J., Gorter D., May S. (eds.), Language Awareness and Multilingualism, Encyclopedia of language and education, Springer, pp. 297–308. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02240-6_19
Enever J. (2011), ELLie: Early language learning in Europe:[evidence from the ELLiE study]. British Council.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. (2019), Key competences for lifelong learning. Online: https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2766/291008 [Accessed 09.01.2025].
García O., Flores N. (2012), Multilingual pedagogies, (in:), Martin-Jones, M., Blackledge, A., Creese, A. (eds.). The Routledge Handbook of Multilingualism (1st ed.). London: Routledge, pp. 232–246.
García O., Otheguy R., (2020), Plurilingualism and translanguaging: Commonalities and divergences. “International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism”, No 23(1), pp.17–35. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2019.1598932
Guidelines for the Integration of Migrant Children into Kindergartens and Schools / Smernice za vključevanje otrok priseljencev v vrtce in šole (2012), Ljubljana: Zavod Republike Slovenije za šolstvo. Ljubljana: Ministrstvo za šolstvo in šport Republike Slovenije, Online: https://www.gov.si/assets/ministrstva/MVI/Dokumenti/Osnovna-sola/Ucni-nacrti/Drugi-konceptualni-dokumenti/Smernice-za-vkljucevanje-otrok.pdf [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Guidelines for the Integration of Children, Pupils and Students from Other Linguistic and Cultural Backgrounds into the Slovenian Education System / Smernice za vključevanje otrok, učencev in dijakov iz drugih jezikovnih in kulturnih okolij v slovenski vzgojno-izobraževalni sistem (2024), Online: https://www.gov.si/assets/ministrstva/MVI/Dokumenti/Osnovna-sola/Ucni-nacrti/Drugi-konceptualni-dokumenti/Smernice-za-vkljucevanje-otrok.pdf [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Kindergarten Act/ Zakon o vrtcih (ZVrt) (2005), Uradni list Republike Slovenije, Online: https://pisrs.si/pregledPredpisa?id=ZAKO447 [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Kirsch C. (2018), Young children capitalising on their entire language repertoire for language learning at school. “Language, Culture and Curriculum”, No 31(1), pp.39–55. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07908318.2017.1304954
Krek J., Metljak M. (eds.) (2011), Bela knjiga o vzgoji in izobraževanju v Republiki Sloveniji. Ljubljana: Zavod RS za šolstvo. Online: http://pefprints.pef.uni-lj.si/1195/1/bela_knjiga_2011.pdf [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Ministry of Education and Sport. (1999), Kurikul za vrtce [Kindergarten curriculum]. Ministry of Education and Sport, Republic of Slovenia. Online: https://www.gov.si/en/policies/education-science-and-sport/early-childhood-education-and-care/ [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Nikolov M., Mihaljević Djigunović J. (2019), Teaching young language learners. (in:) X. Gao (Ed.), Second handbook of English language teaching, Springer, pp. 1–23. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-58542-0_31-1
Novak-Lukanovič S., Limon D. (2012), Language policy in Slovenia, (in:) Language, Culture and Curriculum, No 25/1, pp. 27–39. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07908318.2011.653056
OECD (2001), Starting Strong: Early Childhood Education and Care. Paris : OECD Publishing,
OECD (2006), Starting Strong II: Early Childhood Education and Care. Paris: OECD Publishing.
Papadopoulos I.M., Jansen (2024), Insider Views and Practices of Translanguaging Classrooms in Early Childhood Education. „World Journal of Educational Research”, No 11(3), pp.1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22158/wjer.v11n3p1
Protassova E. (2018), Multilingual education and family language policy. “International Journal of Multilingual Education”, No 11, pp.85–94. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22333/ijme.2018.110015
Ragnarsdottir H. (2023), Diverse language policies and practices of immigrant families in Iceland: Opportunities and challenges. “Journal of Language, Identity & Education”, pp.1–14. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15348458.2022.2160333
Republic of Slovenia (2021), Resolution on the national programme for language policy of the Republic of Slovenia 2021-2025. Ljubljana: Uradni list RS, 94/21.
Rutar S. (2014), Multilingual learning and teaching as a principle of inclusive practice. (in:) Sodobna pedagogika, No 65(131)/1, pp. 10–25, Online: https://www.sodobna-pedagogika.net/en/articles/01-2014_multilingual-learning-and-teaching-as-a-principle-of-inclusive-practice/ [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Rutar S., Žefran M., Bratož S. (2024), RA-RA – Raziskovalno-razvojna enota predšolske vzgoje Pedagoške fakultete Univerze na Primorskem v sodelovanju z lokalnim okoljem, (in:) Krmac, N., Kukanja Gabrijelčič, M. (eds.), Naša pedagoška pot – Spomini na polstoletno umetnost poučevanja. Koper: založba, pp. 87–90. Online: https://www.hippocampus.si/ISBN/978-961-293-374-6.pdf [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Strategy for the Integration of Migrant Children, Pupils and Students into the Education System in the Republic of Slovenia / Strategija vključevanja otrok, učencev in dijakov migrantov v sistem vzgoje in izobraževanja v Republiki Sloveniji/ (2007) Online: https://www.gov.si/assets/ministrstva/MIZS/Dokum–enti/Varno-in-spodbudno-ucno-okolje/Strategija_vkljucevanje_priseljencev_2007.doc [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Štemberger T. (2021), Fokusne skupine v pedagoškem raziskovanju. (in:) Sodobna pedagogika, No 72(3), pp.10–24.
Tsokalidou R., Skourtou E., (2020), Translanguaging as a culturally sustaining pedagogical approach: Bi/multilingual educators’ perspectives. “Inclusion, Education and translanguaging”. (in:) Panagiotopoulou, J.A., Rosen, L., Strzykala, J. (eds.), Inclusion, Education and Translanguaging. Springer, pp. 219–235. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-28128-1_13
Vogrinc J. (2008), Pomen triangulacije za zagotavljanje kakovosti znanstvenih spoznanj kvalitativnega raziskovanja. (in:) Sodobna pedagogika, No 59(5), pp. 108–122.
Yang W., Peh J., Ng S. C. (2021), Early childhood teacher research and social-emotional learning: Implications for the development of culturally sensitive curriculum in Singapore. “Policy Futures in Education”, No 19/2, pp. 197–215. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1478210320983499
Žefran M. (2015), Students’ attitudes towards their EFL lessons and teachers: a retrospective study. (in:) Journal of Elementary Education, No 8/1-2, pp. 167–180. Online: http://rei.pef.um.si/images/Izdaje_revije/2015/1-2/REI_8_1-2_10.pdf [Accessed: 09.01.2025].
Žefran M., Taslimi N. J., Toniolo S., Lazarić L. (2024), Multilingual Educational Practices at pre-primary level in Slovenia, Austria, Italy and Croatia: a Comparative Analysis. Journal of Elementary Education, 17(Special), pp. 11‒26. Online: https://journals.um.si/index.php/education/article/view/4570 [Accessed 20.01.2025].
Licencja
Prawa autorskie (c) 2025 Mojca Žefran, Silva Bratož, Sonja Rutar

Utwór dostępny jest na licencji Creative Commons Uznanie autorstwa – Bez utworów zależnych 4.0 Międzynarodowe.
Przedstawiany utwór (artykuł) upubliczniany jest na podstawie umowy z autorem i na licencji Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0).
Użytkownicy mają obowiązek podania wraz z rozpowszechnionym utworem, informacji o autorstwie, tytule, źródle (odnośniki do oryginalnego utworu, DOI) oraz samej licencji;
- bez tworzenia utworów zależnych,
- utwór musi być zachowany w oryginalnej postaci.
Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu zachowuje prawo do czasopisma jako całości (układ, forma graficzna, tytuł, projekt okładki, logo itp.).