ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors explore some of the main issues and challenges that arise from carrying out research with children. Working with children generally, and researching the nature of language learning in children in particular, is an exceedingly important and fascinating endeavour. The authors identify what impact learning a foreign language (FL) might have on a developing child’s first language literacy skills. The motivation for this study was the observation, noted earlier, that increasingly, governments around the world are lowering the age at which children are required to learn a taught FL as part of the primary curriculum. The authors identify specific methodological challenges and considerations that were not only relevant to the particular project, but they feel are also worth considering as a whole in carrying out research with children. The authors present some implications and make some general suggestions about conducting research with children.
