Children´s Third and Second Language Acquisition: The Effects an L3 can have on an L2

Abstract

Early English learning has been a topic in the Netherlands for the past few years. This means that Early Bird programmes which emphasise on the need for early English learning are implemented in more and more schools. However, according to the Voorlees Express (2016) there is still a large group of children with a language deficit in Dutch caused by little exposure because of differnces in cultural backgrounds. This literary review researched effects of an L3 on the further acquisition of an L2 for children with a language deficit in their L2. The main influences an L3 can have on an L2 are caused by transfer, code-mixing and possibly the setting of parameters. However, little research has been done in consideration of the target group which is why there is a large opening for further research.