Parents, Migrant Domestic Workers And Children's Speaking Of A Second Language: Evidence From Hong Kong

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Abstract

This paper explores the effects of different language home environments provided by English-speaking and non-English-speaking migrant domestic workers (MDWs) on Hong Kong children’s ability to speak English. To isolate MDWs’ language effect from parental and family effects, I use between-siblings comparisons and an empirical model of language acquisition. Results from between-siblings comparisons reveal a clear sign for the positive language effect of English-speaking MDWs. Estimates of the language acquisition model show that a child who is cared for by an English-speaking MDW and who has a bilingual mother is 45 percent more likely to speak English.
Original languageEnglish
PublisherUWA Business School
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Publication series

NameEconomics Discussion Papers
No.4
Volume15

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