How individual differences in native language proficiency, executive function, and motivation affect second language learning outcomes in children.

Tsz Lam Ip

Bilinguals cannot shut off one of their languages: Research has found that recognizing words in one language is influenced by knowledge of another language. For my honor’s thesis, I examined if such cross-language interaction is modulated by individual differences, in English children who learn Spanish at school. I found that variation in children’s language proficiency, executive function, and motivation to learn a second language influenced brain activity patterns associated with cross-language activation during word recognition.
Major: 
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Exhibition Category: 
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Exhibition Format: 
Poster Presentation
Campus: 
University Park
Faculty Sponsor: 
Janet Van Hell
Poster Number: 
132