This study aims to explore the impact of English learning experience in early childhood on Mandarin learning attitude and achievement at the stage of elementary school. Variables ‘English-learning dummy’ ‘age of English learning’ ‘number of years of learning English’ ‘hours per week in English-learning’ are used as proxies for experience of English learning. Learning attitude in Mandarin is measured in three dimensions (cognition, affection, and behavior), and learning achievement in Mandarin is represented by ‘score’ on Verbal Ability Development Test Battery(VADTB) and ‘academic achievement’ of Mandarin in school(MAA).Questionnaire survey and in-depth interview are concurrently used in this study. The Six hundred and eighty subjects were drawn from six elementary schools in Mucha Area of Taipei City. The other sample, used for in-depth interviews, includes 44 students, 45 parents, and 15 elementary school teachers.
The results show that no relationship exists between English learning experience in early childhood and learning attitude at the stage of elementary school. However, some evidence indicates that English learning in early childhood does help Mandarin study at the subsequent stage. Specifically, this study demonstrates that, for the 2nd grade student group, VADTB and MAA scores of students with early childhood’s English learning experience are significantly higher than those students without any childhood English learning experience. In addition, MAA score of students with 2-3 years’ English experience prior to elementary school is significantly higher than those without any English experience.
