Applied Psycholinguistics · 1994 · 277 citations · 33 references
Language StudiesEducational PsychologyLinguisticsBilingual EducationLanguage EducationSecond Language LearningAge Effects In Language LearningBilingual DevelopmentLanguage ExposureMultilingualismSecond Language AcquisitionSpanish BilingualismEnglish Language LearnersLanguage AchievementLearner VariablesMotivation In Bilingual EducationNative Language InfluenceReinforcementSpanish-english Bilingualism
The study investigates how bilingualism affects English learning in the Basque Country. English achievement was assessed for students taught in Spanish and Basque, with cognitive, sociostructural, social‑psychological, and educational factors examined via regression analyses. Bilingualism, intelligence, motivation, age, and exposure predict English achievement, and immersion in Basque for Spanish speakers and native‑language reinforcement for Basque speakers improve outcomes.
ABSTRACT This research examines the influence of bilingualism on third language learning in a bilingual community, the Basque Country. The English-language achievement of students instructed through the majority (Spanish) and the minority (Basque) languages in the Basque Country was measured. In addition, other cognitive, sociostructural, social psychological, and educational variables were also included in the study. Several sets of regression analyses were carried out to analyze the role of bilingual education. The results indicated that bilingualism and several other variables (intelligence, motivation, age, and exposure) were good predictors of English-language achievement. This research suggests, then, that immersion in the minority language for Spanish-speaking students and school reinforcement of the native language for Basque-speaking students have positive linguistic outcomes.
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Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
Shaw N. Gynan, Colin Baker · Modern Language Journal · 1994 · 3.1K citations