Paola Zavala
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Ioulia Kovelman
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Psychology and CHGD / LSA
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Oral5
Session: Session 3 – 1:40pm – 2:30 pm
Room: Breakout Room 6
Authors: Paola Zavala, Nia Nickerson
Presenter: 5
Abstract
In 2016, the percentage of bilingual children in the United States was 22%, overall increasing by 2%, in the last decade (2018). As this trend continues to rise, it’s important that we understand how to best support bilingual learners as they enter school and learn how to read in a language different from the first one they learned. It is known that often bilingual children’s English vocabulary when compared to monolinguals is lower, however less is known about how their Spanish vocabulary is influencing their language processing within the brain (Naglieri et al., n.d.).The purpose of this study is to understand how the Spanish vocabulary knowledge of young bilingual children (aged 5-10) influences their brain activity during functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) neuroimaging language tasks in Spanish and in English. Background information on the subject’s use of the Spanish language is gathered through questionnaires. Participants are also tested virtually on language and literacy tasks in both English and Spanish and in addition to completing language tasks in both languages during fNIRS neuroimaging. Preliminary results suggest that Spanish vocabulary is similarly influencing both English and Spanish processing during the phonological awareness tasks, which is meant to assess recognition of the sounds of syllables and consequently, letters and words. However, Spanish vocabulary seems to be activating more left frontal and temporal regions. This research will hopefully help educators and scientists better support educational outcomes of learners who speak more than one language.
Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Arts and Humanities, Interdisciplinary, Natural/Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences
