SARA TEMA, ROVENA VORA
DOI:
Abstract
This paper explores how early foreign language exposure influences young children’s language skills, cognitive skills, and social development. With early exposure becoming more common, often through media, technology, or daily interactions — this study examines not just whether it helps, but how different methods of exposure shape outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining survey data from parents, with insights from two interviews: one with a speech-language therapist, and another with an Albanian family raising their children in the United States and navigating between the native and foreign language. The results show that children who are introduced to a foreign language early, especially through regular and meaningful interaction – tend to develop better pronunciation, stronger language awareness, and more social confidence. On the other hand, children exposed only through passive methods like videos or cartoons often show more limited progress. The findings also highlight the importance of active involvement from parents supporting language learning from an early age. The study ends with practical recommendations to help improve early FL learning at home or in the classroom, encouraging interactive methods, stronger home-school collaboration, and more intentional use of digital tools.
Keywords: exposure, acquisition, flexibility, involvement, adaptability.