A Case Study on Bilingualism in Early Childhood in a Family Environment

The aim of this study is to show how the sensitization towards learning a second language happens in early childhood period. this sensitization was anlayzed with the child's responses in the dimensions of listening and speaking in language development and family environment in her periods of language use. for the study, a 28 month-child was observed throughout two months. the data showed that a small child could consciously discriminate the different languages. this awareness was enhanced with especially gesture and facial expressions and also the similar words in both languages. it was observed that while the listening skill was easily developed very fast, much time was needed for the development of the speaking skill. the most significant detail in this observation process was the child's acceptance of learning a second language as a natural issue.