ERIC Number: EJ974336
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1479-0718
EISSN: N/A
The Development of Language and Reading Skills in the Second and Third Languages of Multilingual Children in French Immersion
Berube, Daniel; Marinova-Todd, Stefka H.
International Journal of Multilingualism, v9 n3 p272-293 2012
The relationship between first language (L1) typology, defined as the classification of languages according to their structural characteristics (e.g. phonological systems and writing systems), and the development of second (L2) and third (L3) language skills and literacy proficiency in multilingual children was investigated in this study. The sample included 90 children in Grade 4: tested once at the beginning of Grade 4 (T1) and again at the end of Grade 4 (T2). The children belonged to one of three language groups: English monolinguals, multilinguals who were literate in an alphabetic L1, and multilinguals who were literate in a logographic/syllabary L1. The study examined the extent to which the development of L2 and L3 literacy skills varied primarily as a function of orthographic similarities with the L1. Results revealed that multilingual children who were literate in an alphabetic L1 showed advantages in L2 and L3 reading comprehension. However, there were no differences on tasks that measured word reading and pseudoword reading. A more accurate picture of what facilitates L2 and L3 reading development is enhanced when differences in L2 and L3 proficiency were considered as well. (Contains 6 tables and 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Reading Comprehension, Multilingualism, Language Classification, Grade 4, Literacy, Reading Skills, Language Skills, Bilingualism, Correlation, Elementary School Students, Monolingualism, Alphabets, Second Language Learning, Language Proficiency, Written Language, Transfer of Training, French, Immersion Programs, Measures (Individuals), Foreign Countries, Reading Tests, Language Tests, Scores, Comparative Analysis
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test; Woodcock Language Proficiency Battery
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A