Noémie Gfeller

Research topic 

The central question to be answered in the present study relates to the effects of interactive audio-visual media on the language skills of multilingual preschool children after entering kindergarten (4-year-old children). Not only the short-term effects of interaction with apps will be investigated, but also the influence of long-term use on the children's school skills will be of particular interest.

In the present study, the effects of the app "Fun German" on the language skills of multilingual preschool children with a migration background and children from educationally disadvantaged families are to be examined in concrete terms. The children in the same sample will be re-examined in a longitudinal study at a later date, with regard to their language skills. In this way, it should be checked whether the effects of app use are actually a long-term effect.

Research questions

Can the language skills of multilingual preschool children from families with a migrant background and from educationally disadvantaged families be promoted effectively and in the long term through the use of language learning apps? This question is to be investigated within the scope of the planned work, especially with a focus on the app "Fun German". Starting from the empirical foundations, the following questions are now derived: 

1. How does the use of the app "Fun German" affect the language skills of multilingual preschool children with a migration background in the long term? 

2. How does the use of the app "Fun German" affect the language skills of multilingual preschool children from educationally disadvantaged families in the long term?

08/2022