Bilingualism and Second Language Acquisition

bilingualism

• native like control of two languages (balanced bilinguals)

• use of two or more language every day (most bilinguals)

how common is bilingualism

• prevalence os ELLs in US schools: 10.6%

• more than half the world population is bilingual

simultaneous bilinguals

• begin acquiring both languages before age 4

• initially mix languages

• seperate two code systems at age 3-4

sequential bilinguals

begin learning L2 after age 4

BICS

basic interpersonal communication skills (develops 2-3 years)

• greetings

• order food

• ask questions

CALP

cognitive academic language proficiency (5-7 years)

• reading

• vocab

• izing skills

factors affecting second language acquisition

• age

• language distance

• language status

• circumstantial bs elective

language distance

how similar or different are the two languages

language status

how does the local culture value the two languages

circumstantial

needed to learn L2 because of circumstances

elective

chose to learn L2 voluntarily

silent period

child may not talks while they are beginning to learn L2 receptively

interference

one language influences the other

• positive: ways language is similar

• negative: ways languages are different (errors)

receptive bilinguals

understand but will not speak one of the languages

effects of bilingualism

• bilingual kids reach developmental milestones about same time as monolinguals

• bilingualism does not inhibit devlopment of proficiency

• acquiring two languages is not harder than acquiring language

joint activation

• constant competition b/w two active languages

• evidence: code switching (starts at 3-4 y.o)

• result: constant use of executive control system

  • inhibition

  • cognitive flexibility

  • updating info in working memory

research findings

• bilinguals preform better on tasks that require controlled attention and inhibition

• bilinguals preform better at working memory tasks requiring stringent demands for control and inhibition

• bilinguals show symptoms of dementia later than monolinguals