dialect in language education

[Kerstin Leuckefeld]

Dear Info-Childes,

I have a question concerning the role of dialect in language education, 
especially with respect to children who acquire e.g. German as a second 
language in kindergarten. In many German regions dialects are frequently 
spoken, for instance in Swabia or Bavaria. For a child this may mean 
that he will first be confronted with the dialect, and later in school 
with the standard language.

My question is if kindergarten teachers should try to speak as 
"standard" as possible, or if they should be encouraged to speak 
dialect, even with children learning German as second language. Does 
anyone know of relevant literature that discusses this topic? Or any 
other helpful hints?


I would be very grateful for any suggestions.

Kerstin Leuckefeld

-- 
______________________________________

Kerstin Leuckefeld
Deutsches Jugendinstitut e.V. (http://www.dji.de)
Abt. Kinder u. Kinderbetreuung
Nockherstr. 2, 81541 München
Tel.: 089/62306-406; Fax: 089/62306-407
______________________________________