Diagnostic memory assessment in Italian-born Australians

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 1133-1143
Author(s):  
Sara Fratti ◽  
Stephen C. Bowden ◽  
Olimpia Pino
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
English Language ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
False Negative ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACTBackground:In many English-speaking countries neuropsychological assessment of non-English speakers is often performed in English or through an interpreter. Relying on interpreters often involves unstandardized and ad hoc translations of tests which may limit valid assessment.Methods:In a sample of 75 Italian-born elderly Australians from the general community (48 women and 27 men, aged 56–90 years) we administered standardized and normed psychological tests in both English (WMS-III, WAIS-III, BNT, Schonell Graded Word Reading Test) and Italian (Milan Overall Dementia Assessment, MODA). We examined the hypothesis that long-term retrieval ability assessed in English is primarily influenced by cognitive abilities assessed in Italian and by English language competence.Results:Regression analysis showed that the strongest predictor of long-term retrieval in English was long-term retrieval in Italian (R2= 0.229, F(72) = 29.12, p<0.01). After inclusion of an estimate of general cognitive ability in Italian, English language competence failed to add significantly to variance explained in memory tested in English (p > 0.05).Conclusions:Results of the present study support the view that long-term retrieval memory is not significantly affected by second language proficiency after control of cognitive ability assessed in Italian. As a consequence, if an Italian-born elder Australian with English as a second language scores poorly on a diagnostic memory test, this result may be due to cognitive impairment rather than language issues. If, instead, we attribute poor performance to language competence, an increased risk of false negative diagnosis may arise.

Language competence, identity construction and discursive boundary-making: Distancing and alignment in domestic migrant worker narratives

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (262) ◽  
pp. 97-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans J. Ladegaard
Keyword(s):  
Identity Construction ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Migrant Worker ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Boundary Making

AbstractMany people in developing countries are faced with a dilemma. If they stay at home, their children are kept in poverty with no prospects of a better future; if they become migrant workers, they will suffer long-term separation from their families. This article focuses on one of the weakest groups in the global economy: domestic migrant workers. It draws on a corpus of more than 400 narratives recorded at a church shelter in Hong Kong and among migrant worker returnees in rural Indonesia and the Philippines. In sharing sessions, migrant women share their experiences of working for abusive employers, and the article analyses how language is used to include and exclude. The women tell how their employers construct them as “incompetent” and “stupid” because they do not speak Chinese. However, faced by repression and marginalisation, the women use their superior English language skills to get back at their employers and momentarily gain the upper hand. Drawing on ideologies of language as the theoretical concept, the article provides a discourse analysis of selected excerpts focusing on language competence and identity construction.

PKM Kelompok Kader Dan Ibu Balita Dalam Germas Ceting (Gerakan Masyarakat Cegah Stunting) Sebagai Upaya Pencegahan Balita Stunting

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 959-968
Author(s):  
Endang Susilowati ◽  
Endang Surani ◽  
Isna Hudaya
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
P Value ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Community Movement

AbstractThe incidence of stunting in children can cause the low quality of a country's Human Resources (HR). Stunting causes poor cognitive abilities, low productivity, and increased risk of disease resulting in long-term losses for the Indonesian economy. Stunting also has other long-term impacts, namely the risk of suffering from chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary heart disease, hypertension, cancer, and stroke. Community participation is needed in the government's efforts to tackle stunting. Community behavior problems that are factors that cause stunting include 1) Lack of environmental hygiene 2) Lack of knowledge of mothers about health and nutrition 3) Busy parents 4) Poverty. GERMAS CETING (Community Movement to Prevent Stunting) is a community movement that is carried out jointly and continuously in order to increase public awareness in stunting prevention efforts with the main target of the entire community being Cadres, pregnant women and mothers of toddlers and other potential groups by integrating all specific interventions and interventions. sensitive. The purpose of this activity is to increase the knowledge of cadres and mothers of toddlers about stunting and to improve the skills of cadres and mothers of toddlers in making additional food according to the child's age. The implementation method used is problem identification, determining problem solving framework, conducting pre test, providing Health Education and training, conducting post test. There was an increase in mother's knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding, MP-ASI and PHBS. The results of the analysis are known p value 0.000. Keywords: Germas; ceting; cadres; mother of toddlers AbstrakKejadian stunting pada anak dapat menyebabkan rendahnya kualitas Sumber Daya Manusia (SDM) suatu negara. Keadaan Stunting menyebabkan buruknya kemampuan kognitif, rendahnya produktivitas, serta meningkatnya risiko penyakit mengakibatkan kerugian jangka panjang bagi ekonomi Indonesia. Stunting juga menimbulkan dampak jangka panjang yang lain yaitu berisiko menderita penyakit kronis seperti diabetes mellitus (DM), jantung koroner, hipertensi, kanker, dan stroke. Partisipasi masyarakat sangat dibutuhkan dalam dalam upaya pemerintah untuk penanggulangan stunting. Masalah perilaku masyarakat yang menjadi faktor penyebab stunting antara lain 1) Kurangnya menjaga kebersihan lingkungan 2) Kurangnya pengetahuan ibu mengenai kesehatan dan gizi 3) Kesibukan orangtua 4) Kemiskinan. GERMAS CETING (Gerakan masyarakat cegah stunting) merupakan gerakan masyarakat yang dilakukan secara bersama dan berkesinambungan dalam rangka meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat dalam upaya pencegahan stunting dengan sasaran seluruh masyarakat utamanya adalah Kader, ibu hamil dan ibu balita serta kelompok potensial lainnya dengan mengintegrasikan seluruh intervensi spesifik dan intervensi sensitive. Tujuan dari kegiatan ini adalah meningkatkan pengetahuan kader dan ibu balita tentang Stunting serta Meningkatkan ketrampilan kader dan ibu balita dalam pembuatan makanan tambahan sesuai dengan usia anak. Metode pelaksanaan yang digunakan adalah identifikasi masalah, menentukan kerangka pemecahan masalah, melakukan pre test, memberikan Pendidikan Kesehatan dan pelatihan, melakukan pos test. Terjadi peningkatan pengetahuan ibu tentang ASI eksklusif, MP-ASI dan PHBS. Hasil Analisa diketahui p value 0.000. Kata kunci: Germas; ceting;kader;ibubalita

The effect of bilingualism on cognitive ability: A test of the level of bilingualism hypothesis

1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 293-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorna H. Jarvis ◽  
Joseph H. Danks ◽  
William E. Merriman
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Cognitive Ability ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
General Intelligence ◽  
Verbal Intelligence ◽  
Mexican Spanish ◽  
Second Language Proficiency

ABSTRACTDoes bilingualism facilitate the development of cognitive abilities, and if so, how? According to the level of bilingualism hypothesis (Diaz, 1983), only in the early stages of second language acquisition does bilingualism foster cognitive ability. This hypothesis was tested on a sample of 3rd and 4th grade Mexican Spanish-English bilinguals with low English proficiency. Knowledge of Spanish and English in phonology, vocabulary, and syntax was measured. Nonverbal general intelligence was assessed with the Raven Colored Progressive Matrices, and verbal intelligence was assessed with a subtest of the Woodcock Language Proficiency Battery. No relationship was found between degree of bilingualism and nonverbal intelligence, contrary to the level of bilingualism hypothesis. The results suggest that the effects of bilingualism on cognitive development are not solely dependent on the level of second language proficiency.

scholarly journals GCT-74. RETROSPECTIVE LITERATURE REVIEW OF CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) GERM CELL TUMORS (GCTs) IN PATIENTS WITH DOWN SYNDROME (DS)

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii343-iii343
Author(s):  
Micah K Harris ◽  
Margaret Lamb ◽  
Joseph R Stanek ◽  
Jonathan L Finlay ◽  
Mohamed S AbdelBaki
Keyword(s):  
Germ Cell ◽  
English Language ◽  
Medical Literature ◽  
Germ Cell Tumors ◽  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Surgical Infection ◽  
Post Surgery ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Risk Of Treatment

Abstract BACKGROUND A standard-of-care has not been established for the management of DS patients who develop primary CNS GCTs – the most common CNS neoplasm in DS – despite being more susceptible to treatment-related adverse events. METHODS A review of the English-language medical literature between 1960 and 2020 was conducted. RESULTS Thirty-one cases of CNS GCTs in DS patients (median nine-years-old; 21 males) were reported; the majority (23/31) originated from East Asia. Twelve had germinomas (39%), 12 had non-germinomatous germ cell tumors (NGGCTs) (39%), and seven had teratomas (22%). Four patients (13%) died from tumor progression (one germinoma versus three teratoma). Seven patients (23%) died from treatment-related complications (four germinoma versus three NGGCT). Of the germinoma patients, two died from chemotherapy-related sepsis, one from post-surgery cardiopulmonary failure, and one from Moyamoya following radiation-therapy (RT) only. Of the NGGCT patients, one died from chemotherapy-related sepsis, one from post-surgical infection, and one from pneumonia following surgery/chemotherapy/RT. Three-year overall survival (OS) was 58.1% for all patients, 52.5% for germinoma, 64.8% for NGGCT, and 60% for teratoma. Three-year OS for patients who received RT or chemotherapy was 63.6% and 59.6% respectively. Twenty patients (65%) remain alive (seven germinoma versus nine NGCCT versus four teratoma). Ten patients (32%) experienced serious treatment-related complications (five germinoma versus five NGGCT). CONCLUSIONS Patients with DS and CNS GCTs are at an increased risk of treatment-related complications. Therefore, a different therapeutic approach may need to be considered for this patient population in order to mitigate the treatment-related complications and long-term neurocognitive sequelae.

scholarly journals Declarative and Procedural Memory as Individual Differences in Second Language Aptitude

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua Buffington ◽  
Kara Morgan-Short
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Memory Systems ◽  
Procedural Memory ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Language Aptitude

Domain-general approaches to second language acquisition (SLA) have considered how individual differences in cognitive abilities contribute to foreign language aptitude. Here, we specifically consider the role of two, long-term, cognitive memory systems, i.e., declarative and procedural memory, as individual differences in SLA. In doing so, we define and review evidence for the long-term declarative and procedural memory systems, consider theories that address a role for declarative and procedural memory in L2 acquisition, discuss evidence in support of the claims that these theories make, and conclude with discussion of important directions and questions for future research on the role of declarative and procedural memory as individual differences in assessing L2 aptitude.

scholarly journals Urban English Learners’ Perceptions Towards the Influence of Second Language Identity on Employment Opportunities in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minder Kaur Parthaman Singh ◽  
Jo Yee Liew ◽  
Ching Sin Siau
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Language Identity ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate urban English learners’ perceptions towards their second language identity in Malaysia and the influence of the said identity on their employment opportunities in Malaysia. This research was an exploratory study that employed a qualitative research design. The data was analysed for second language identity development factors and participants’ perception on the influence of their English language identity on their employment opportunities. The second language identity development factors identified were personal, social, professional, educational and learning environment. These factors were found to have influenced the participants’ second language identity development. The participants’ perception on the influence of their English language identity on their employment opportunities were analysed and discussed. This study has implications for studies on English language proficiency and employment opportunities in Malaysia as well as providing English educators with a different outlook on the resources used to teach English learners. Recommendations for future studies include conducting a long-term project that involves participants noting down their narratives such as a photo-elicitation project, to use as data for furthering this research.

scholarly journals Impact of Aliteracy on Learning English as A Second Language in Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Ezekwesili ◽  
Chinyere Chinedu
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Language Performance ◽  
School Students ◽  
Poor Reading ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Learning English

This paper examines the impact of aliteracy on learning English as a second language in Nigeria. Genuine concern expressed by stakeholders on the poor performance exhibited by Nigerian secondary school students in English language has led to a number of inquiries for solutions to the problem. Many studies have attributed poor language performance to a number of factors but nobody has connected the apathetic stance of students towards reading to poor language performance. Their appalling performance manifests in the plethora of spelling and grammatical errors that riddle essay assignments. Writing is a productive language skill by which a student demonstrates his ability to produce grammatically correct and connected texts. This study searches for the link between students’ lack of interest in reading and their writing competence. Aliteracy is the state of being able to read but being uninterested in doing so. The data for the study were generated from students’ written essay and questionnaire. An analysis of the students’ reading habits juxtaposed with their continuous writing showed that students who were avid readers performed better than those who did not like to read. This result shows that the decline in the level and quality of language written by senior secondary school students in Nigeria can be attributed to poor reading culture.

scholarly journals USING A GENRE-BASED APPROACH TO PREPARE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FOR AN ENGLISH THESIS DEFENCE EXAMINATION: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY TO ADDRESS THE ‘PEDAGOGICAL CONTROVERSY’

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-93
Author(s):  
Iskandar Abdul Samad ◽  
Zifirdaus Adnan
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Important Approach

A great deal of research has been conducted on genre based approach, suggesting that it is an important approach. Its importance is also indicated by the fact that it is adopted in the 2004 and 2006 National English Curricula of Indonesian secondary schools. However, the pedagogical benefit of this approach to English language teaching is still controversial. Some research has shown that it is effective to develop language competence, some has not. The fact that since the adoption of this approach in the 2004 Indonesian National Curriculum the quality of Indonesian English language teaching at Indonesian schools has not significantly improved complicates the issue further. The present study was intended to contribute to the debate. It is an experiment to discover whether the approach can help improve the performance of students in university thesis defence examinations. The study was conducted at a university level because of an important practical issue, that is complaints among members of the academic community about the poor performance of undergraduate (UG) students in the thesis defence examination (TDE) event at Indonesian universities especially in Aceh. It was believed that even though students were competent in speaking general English, they were poor in their oral thesis defence performance. This study concludes that, with some conditions, it can help at least in some respects.

Second language immersion impacts native language lexical production and comprehension

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Roxana Botezatu ◽  
Judith F. Kroll ◽  
Morgan I. Trachsel ◽  
Taomei Guo
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Native Language ◽  
English Word ◽  
Language Immersion ◽  
Language Differences ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Semantic Errors ◽  
Cross Language

Abstract We investigated whether the features of the second language (L2) matter when we consider the consequence of short-term L2 immersion on performance in the native language (L1). We compared L1 performance in English-speaking learners of a typologically-dissimilar L2-Chinese immersed in Chinese while living in Beijing, China and learners of a typologically-similar L2 (Spanish or French) exposed to the L2 in a classroom setting only. The groups were matched on cognitive abilities. Each group performed a battery of language tasks in English that assessed the ability to produce and recognize spoken words, as well as to name written words and pseudo-words in the native language. Immersed learners produced fewer words in their native language, made more semantic errors, and benefited more from higher lexical frequency when retrieving L1 words relative to classroom learners. Immersed learners also revealed reduced competition from dense phonological neighborhoods when listening to English words presented in noise, but no difference in English word reading and phonemic decoding performance compared to classroom learners. Results are consistent with the view that L2 immersion reduces access to the native language, but suggest that the consequences of L2 immersion on the L1 may be dependent upon the form of cross-language differences.

Morphological insensitivity in second language processing

2004 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 603-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
NAN JIANG
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Processing ◽  
Word Reading ◽  
Morphological Knowledge ◽  
Second Language Processing ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Esl Learners

Two competing explanations exist regarding the nature of morphological difficulty in adult second language acquisition: competence deficit versus performance deficiency. This study tested these explanations by examining English as a second language (ESL) learners' morphological performance in reading comprehension tasks. Chinese ESL speakers were asked to read English sentences for comprehension in three self-paced word by word reading experiments. Their reading times were measured to determine if they were sensitive to idiosyncrasies/disagreement in sentences that do and do not involve the number morpheme. The results show that they are not sensitive to number disagreement, but sensitive to other idiosyncrasies tested. This insensitivity to the number morpheme suggests that their morphological knowledge is not an integrated part of their automatic second language competence.

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