Investigation of the relationship between mother tongue developments and a second language learning of children who continue to pre-school education institutions

The importance and benefit of a second language learning is incontrovertible all around the world. Also, the researchers have shown that pre-school period is a very favorable period to learn a second language. This study was carried out in order to "understand whether there is a relationship between mother tongue developments and a second language learning of children who continue to pre-school education institutions". This study was carried out with 59 children who continue to a private school giving English education in pre-school in district of Cukurova, province of Adana. The language efficiency was applied based on language test and direct expression method prepared by taking advantage of Portage Developmental Scanning Inventory in order to determine the mother tongue developments of children. The voice records of the language efficiency applied were recorded. The English achievement test was applied by researcher to children who receive English education by English teacher for five months for determining the achievement of a second language learning of children. Also, the personal information form was sent to families of children. As a result of the research, it was observed that there is a positive significant relationship at high level in group of 48-60 months, a positive significant relationship at medium level in group of 61-72 months between scores of language test prepared by taking advantage of Portage Development Inventory and scores obtained from the English achievement test. It was found that there is a positive and significant relationship at medium level in group of 48-60 months and a positive significant relationship at high level in group of 61-72 months between the total number of words used in story-telling and English achievement test scores of children; and also there is a positive and significant relationship at medium level in group of 48-60 months and 61-72 months between total scores obtained from chapters of statement-complication-resolution in story-telling and English achievement test scores of children.