新加坡六歲華族兒童的家庭語言環境、社會經濟地位與華語口語能力

Home Language Environment, Socioeconomic Status and Chinese Oral Competence in Singaporean Chinese Children Aged 6

在新加坡，社會經濟地位較高的華族社群，在家庭中使用英語的現象較為普遍。本研究旨在調查目前新加坡華族兒童的家庭語言環境，以及探討新加坡華族兒童家庭語言環境、社會經濟地位和口語能力之間的關係。本研究的參與者包括來自73所學前中心的6歲華族兒童及他們的家長。其中，1233名家長參與了問卷調查，377名兒童參加了口語能力測試。研究發現，新加坡6歲華族兒童在家多使用英語；社會經濟地位對家庭語言接觸具有預測力；家庭語言接觸對口語能力具有預測力。由此，我們認為鼓勵新加坡華族家庭在家中使用華語是重要且迫切的。為了更好地制定政策，日後需要更多關於家庭語言及學校語言的調查。
（本文於2020.03重新修訂）

In Singapore, the use of English at home was generally more prevalent among Chinese community with higher socioeconomic status (SES). In this paper, we aim to investigate the current home language environment of Singapore Chinese children, and to find out the relationships between home language, SES, and Chinese oral competence in Singaporean Chinese children. 1233 parents of Singapore Chinese children aged 6 from 73 preschools participated in the questionnaire survey, and 377 Singapore Chinese children aged 6 participated in the language proficiency test. The results showed that Singapore Chinese children aged 6 used more English at home. SES had direct influence on home language exposure. Home language exposure had direct influence on Chinese oral competence. SES had no direct influence on Chinese oral competence. The results suggest that the promotion of Chinese as the main home language is important and imminent. More investigations on home language and school language are needed for policy making.
（本文於2020.03重新修訂）