Promoting communicative skills in the English class based on student’s learning styles

Abstract

The article deals with various aspects related to the early introduction of English as a third language in bilingual educational settings. More specifically, it focuses on the effect of the early introduction of English on cognitive and linguistic development, communicative competence in English and attitudes towards languages. The article highlights the growing importance of English as an international language and intra-European communication and the need to study the acquisition of English in relation to the context in which the acquisition takes place. The article also describes the results of some research studies conducted in the Basque Country and refers to other research in other contexts. Article chapters are divided into a) the influence of the early introduction of English on cognitive and linguistic development b) the effect of the early introduction of English on English proficiency and attitudes to learning this language. Promoting communicative skills in the English class based on student’s learning styles