MELT - Multilingual Early Language Transmission

It is widely accepted that the early years is an advantageous time to acquire language skills simultaneously in more languages. The promotion of regional and less widely used languages from an early age is crucial for their long term future, particularly in an age of ever increasing globalisation.
Individuals who work in pre-school settings require the correct skills and expertise to introduce language to young children. The level of understanding and awareness of language immersion methodology varies amongst organisations and practitioners working to introduce these less widely used languages with children from 6 months to 5 years old.

What are the aims of the MELT project?

• to identify best practice in language immersion methodology
• to  increase the skills of early years practitioners
• to provide young children with a strong educational foundation, enabling them to go on and continue to progress with their multilingual skills
• to provide information to parents on multilingualism
• to strengthen language communities and promote cultural and linguistic diversity.

How will the MELT project do this?

• by researching the early years provision in the four language communities, looking at approaches to language immersion and the resources currently available to parents and practitioners.
• by providing information to parents on the benefits of multilingual pre-school education.
• by developing a practical guide for early years practitioners, including teaching tools and resources.
• by employing an individual to work with practitioners and children in a number of early years settings in the four language communities.
• by holding a final conference in Brussels in October 2011, in order to share the messages of the Project with a wider audience.