scholarly journals Sequential Multilingualism and Cognitive Abilities: Preliminary Data on the Contribution of Language Proficiency and Use in Different Modalities

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marlijne Boumeester ◽  
Marije C. Michel ◽  
Valantis Fyndanis
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Listening Proficiency ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
Disengagement Of Attention ◽  
The Impact

This exploratory study focuses on sequential bi-/multilinguals (specifically, nonimmigrant young Dutch native speakers who learned at least one foreign language (FL) at or after the age of 5) and investigates the impact of proficiency-based and amount-of-use-based degrees of multilingualism in different modalities (i.e., speaking, listening, writing, reading) on inhibition, disengagement of attention, and switching. Fifty-four participants completed a comprehensive background questionnaire, a nonverbal fluid intelligence task, a Flanker task, and the Trail Making Test. Correlational and regression analyses considering multilingualism related variables and other variables that may contribute to the cognitive abilities under investigation (e.g., years of formal education, socioeconomic status, physical activity, playing video-games) revealed that only proficiency-based degrees of multilingualism impacted cognitive abilities. Particularly, mean FL writing proficiency affected inhibition (i.e., significant positive flanker effect) and L2 listening proficiency influenced disengagement of attention (i.e., significant negative sequential congruency effect). Our findings suggest that only those speakers who have reached a certain proficiency threshold in more than one FL show a cognitive advantage, which, in our sample, emerged in inhibition only. Furthermore, our study suggests that, regarding the impact of proficiency-based degrees of multilingualism on cognitive abilities, for our participants the writing and listening modalities mattered most.

Effects of language experience, use, and cognitive functioning on bilingual word production and comprehension

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 666-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaitlyn A. Litcofsky ◽  
Darren Tanner ◽  
Janet G. van Hell
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Functioning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Lexical Processing ◽  
Flanker Task ◽  
Word Production ◽  
Decision Task ◽  
Language Experience ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
The Impact

Aims and objectives/purpose/research questions: Considerable research has investigated how bilinguals produce and comprehend words, focusing mainly on how bilinguals are able to select words from the appropriate language. Less research, however, has investigated whether production and comprehension involve the same underlying mechanisms. The present study explores this issue by examining whether production and comprehension, in the first language (L1) and second language (L2), are similarly influenced by factors relating to language experience, language use, and cognitive functioning. Design/methodology/approach Spanish-English bilinguals living in an English-speaking environment completed a picture naming task and a lexical decision task in their L1 and L2. In addition, participants completed the Operation Span task testing working memory and the Flanker task testing inhibitory control, and completed a language history questionnaire probing their language experience, relative proficiency, and codeswitching behavior. Data and analysis: Performance on all tasks was submitted to correlation analyses and the impact of individual difference measures on word production and comprehension was assessed via regression analyses. Findings/conclusions: Results showed that (1) production and comprehension were more closely linked in L1 than in L2; (2) production in L1 and L2 was predicted by language proficiency; and (3) comprehension in L1 and L2 was predicted by working memory. Originality: This is the first study to compare lexical processing in production and comprehension in both L1 and L2 and how these processes are influenced by language experience, use, and cognitive factors. Significance/implications: Word production and comprehension appear to be more tightly linked in L1 than L2, but seem to rely on different processing mechanisms.

scholarly journals The Impact of Consecutive Interpreting Training on the L2 Listening Competence Enhancement

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Tongtong Zhang ◽  
Zhiwei Wu
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Empirical Study ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Selective Listening ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Listening Ability ◽  
L2 Listening ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Consecutive Interpreting

In recent years, a growing number of people have taken up interpreting training, with the intention of not only developing interpreting skills, but improving language proficiency as well. The present study sets out to investigate the impact of English-Chinese consecutive interpreting (CI) training on the enhancement of the second language (L2, English) listening competence. An empirical study was conducted on 50 interpreting student beginners to assess the effect of two different interpreting training modes on students’ English listening ability. The study indicates that CI training can enhance students’ L2 listening competence, specifically intensive listening skill and selective listening skill, but to a varying extent. Active listening, when trained as a stand-alone rather than a built-in component in the curriculum, contributes more to improving students’ listening ability. In view of this, pedagogical implications for interpreting training and L2 listening teaching are discussed.

ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND COGNITIVE ABILITIES IN PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 51-64
Author(s):  
Olga S. Alekseeva ◽  
◽  
Irina E. Rzhanova ◽  
Viktoriya S. Britova ◽  
Yulia A. Burdukova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Intelligence Scale ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Assessment Battery ◽  
Verbal Comprehension ◽  
The Impact

The study of the relationship between school performance and cognitive abilities was conducted. Cognitive abilities were assessed by using The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children Fifth Edition (WISC–V) and The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children Second Edition (KABC–II). There are lots of works which show the existence of strong correlations between IQ and school marks. However, various studies demonstrate different results about correlations between academic performance in humanitarian sciences, physics and mathematics and verbal and spatial abilities. It should be considered that Russian researchers use outdated version of The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children to diagnose intelligence in most cases. This version contains only three scales: verbal intelligence, nonverbal intelligence and IQ. Considering this fact, evaluation of the impact of particular cognitive characteristics on academic performance become more difficult. The latest versions of The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children and The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children were used in the present study. They contain next scales: verbal comprehension, visual-spatial index, short-term memory, long-term memory, working memory, processing speed, fluid intelligence. School marks in Russian language, mathematics, literature, English language and science were chosen to evaluate academic performance. 55 students of primary school took part in the study. It was found that data given by using the WISC–V had more correlations with school marks than data given by using the KABC–II. Main predictors of academic performance in almost all disciplines were verbal comprehension, processing speed and fluid intelligence.

scholarly journals Socjalizacja poznawcza jako (d)efekt kształcenia szkolnego (na tle rozważań nad kulturowym kontekstem konstruowania struktur poznawczych człowieka)

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-32
Author(s):  
Astrid Męczkowska-Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Cultural Psychology ◽  
School Education ◽  
Cognitive Structures ◽  
Socialization Process ◽  
Contemporary Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Issues taken in the presented article refer to the relationship bet ween culture, the development of human cognitive structures, and school education. Starting from the theses presented within the discourse of contemporary cultural psychology I analyse the role of culture in the development of human cognitive abilities, where further references to the concept of cognitive socialization are made. Finally I make an attempt to point out the principles of effective cognitive socialization in the area of formal education which provides the basis for a sketchy evaluation of the impact of contemporary education on the effects of the cognitive socialization process.

scholarly journals The Impact of Education on Fluid Intelligence

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Bahram Sanginabadi
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
School Construction ◽  
Regional Equity ◽  
Professional Success ◽  
Ability Tests ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Years Of Schooling

Fluid intelligence, which refers to the ability of a person to solve novel problems independent of previously acquired knowledge, is a highly crucial factor in learning and has a big impact on educational and professional success. However, the impacts of formal education on fluid intelligence has been neglected in the literature. In this paper, we apply an exogenous variation in years of schooling to explore the impacts of education on fluid intelligence. From 1971 to the end of 1973, the global price of crude oil increased over 400%. Such an increase in oil price improved the revenue of the Indonesian government from oil production. Indonesia invested most of the new income on central government’s construction projects famous as “Presidential Instructions” (INPRES), which aimed to improve regional equity in the country. The largest INPRES program, known as Sekolah Dasar INPRES, also remains the largest school construction project in history. The government built over 60 thousand elementary schools all over the country from 1973 to 1978. Duflo (2001) studies the impacts of the program on years of education. We have received INPRES data from Duflo and combined it with the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS), which contains individual cognitive ability tests. This dataset represents 83% of the population of 13 out of 26 Indonesian provinces. The results show positive and statistically significant impacts of years of schooling on the fluid intelligence of both females and males. 

The Impact of Neurotherapy on College Students' Cognitive Abilities and Emotions

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krista K. Fritson ◽  
Theresa A. Wadkins ◽  
Pat Gerdes ◽  
David Hof
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
The Impact

Impact and Challenges of Centres for Education and Community Action in Cameroon’s North West Region

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-74
Author(s):  
Fonteh Athanasius Amungwa
Keyword(s):  
Rural Development ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Community Education ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Community Action ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
North West ◽  
West Region ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of community education and challenges facing Centres for Education and Community Action as a rural development strategy in Cameroon. The study was conducted in the North-West Region of Cameroon, employing field observations, semi-structured interviews with key informants using a convenient sampling technique and through elaborate review of documents. These research instruments were blended into what is termed triangulation and the data collected was analysed descriptively. The main focus of qualitative analysis is to understand the ways in which people act and the accounts that people give for their actions. This paper posits that extreme dependence on the provision of Western formal education cannot solve the problems of a rapidly changing society like Cameroon, which is facing a long-term economic crisis and persistent unemployment issues of graduates. Consequently, education should be redefined in the context of the prevailing economic crisis to make it responsive to the aspirations of rural communities. Findings showed that community education had contributed towards rural development immensely but has suffered many challenges due to neglect of the field in the policy agenda. This paper recommends the integration of community education with formal education to facilitate group and community betterment in particular and rural transformation in general.

scholarly journals Differentiating Functional Cognitive Disorder from Early Neurodegeneration: A Clinic-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 800
Author(s):  
Harriet A. Ball ◽  
Marta Swirski ◽  
Margaret Newson ◽  
Elizabeth J. Coulthard ◽  
Catherine M. Pennington
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Cognitive Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Performance Validity ◽  
Immediate Recall ◽  
Trail Making ◽  
Learning Test ◽  
Validity Tests

Functional cognitive disorder (FCD) is a relatively common cause of cognitive symptoms, characterised by inconsistency between symptoms and observed or self-reported cognitive functioning. We aimed to improve the clinical characterisation of FCD, in particular its differentiation from early neurodegeneration. Two patient cohorts were recruited from a UK-based tertiary cognitive clinic, diagnosed following clinical assessment, investigation and expert multidisciplinary team review: FCD, (n = 21), and neurodegenerative Mild Cognitive Impairment (nMCI, n = 17). We separately recruited a healthy control group (n = 25). All participants completed an assessment battery including: Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R), Trail Making Test Part B (TMT-B); Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2RF). In comparison to healthy controls, the FCD and nMCI groups were equally impaired on trail making, immediate recall, and recognition tasks; had equally elevated mood symptoms; showed similar aberration on a range of personality measures; and had similar difficulties on inbuilt performance validity tests. However, participants with FCD performed significantly better than nMCI on HVLT-R delayed free recall and retention (regression coefficient −10.34, p = 0.01). Mood, personality and certain cognitive abilities were similarly altered across nMCI and FCD groups. However, those with FCD displayed spared delayed recall and retention, in comparison to impaired immediate recall and recognition. This pattern, which is distinct from that seen in prodromal neurodegeneration, is a marker of internal inconsistency. Differentiating FCD from nMCI is challenging, and the identification of positive neuropsychometric features of FCD is an important contribution to this emerging area of cognitive neurology.

The impact of a music education program on meta-musical awareness, logical-mathematical, and notational skills in preschoolers

2021 ◽  
pp. 025576142110272
Author(s):  
Oriana Incognito ◽  
Laura Scaccioni ◽  
Giuliana Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Music Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Musical Training ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Transfer Of Knowledge ◽  
General Domain ◽  
Music Program ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact

A number of studies suggest a link between musical training and both specific and general cognitive abilities, but despite some positive results, there is disagreement about which abilities are improved. This study aims to investigate the effects of a music education program both on a domain-specific competence (meta-musical awareness), and on general domain competences, that is, cognitive abilities (logical-mathematical) and symbolic-linguistic abilities (notational). Twenty 4- to 6-year-old children participated in the research, divided into two groups (experimental and control) and the measures were administered at two different times, before and after a 6-month music program (for the experimental group) and after a sports training program (for the control group). Children performed meta-musical awareness tasks, logical-mathematical tasks, and emergent-alphabetization tasks. Non-parametric statistics show that a music program significantly improves the development of notational skills and meta-musical awareness while not the development of logical-mathematical skills. These results show that a musical program increases children’s meta-musical awareness, and their ability to acquire the notational ability involved in the invented writing of words and numbers. On the contrary, it does not affect the development of logical skills. The results are discussed in terms of transfer of knowledge processes and of specific versus general domain effects of a musical program.

Didactic education in paediatric cardiology during the COVID-19 pandemic: a national fellow survey

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Madhusudan Ganigara ◽  
Chetan Sharma ◽  
Fernando Molina Berganza ◽  
Krittika Joshi ◽  
Andrew D. Blaufox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Online Learning ◽  
United States Of America ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Paediatric Cardiology ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a profound impact on medical educational curricula. We aimed to examine the impact of these unprecedented changes on the formal education of paediatric cardiology fellows through a nationwide survey. A REDCap™-based voluntary anonymous survey was sent to all current paediatric cardiology fellows in the United States of America in May, 2020. Of 143 respondents, 121 were categorical fellows, representing over one-fourth of all categorical paediatric cardiology fellows in the United States of America. Nearly all (140/143, 97.9%) respondents utilised online learning during the pandemic, with 134 (93.7%) reporting an increase in use compared to pre-pandemic. The percentage of respondents reporting curriculum supplementation with outside lectures increased from 11.9 to 88.8% during the pandemic. Respondents considered online learning to be “equally or more effective” than in-person lectures in convenience (133/142, 93.7%), improving fellow attendance (132/142, 93.0%), improving non-fellow attendance (126/143, 88.1%), and meeting individual learning needs (101/143, 70.6%). The pandemic positively affected the lecture curriculum of 83 respondents (58.0%), with 35 (24.5%) reporting no change and 25 (17.5%) reporting a negative effect. A positive effect was most noted by those whose programmes utilised supplemental outside lectures (62.2 versus 25.0%, p = 0.004) and those whose lecture frequency did not decrease (65.1 versus 5.9%, p < 0.001). Restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly increased utilisation of online learning platforms by medical training programmes. This survey reveals that an online lecture curriculum, despite inherent obstacles, offers advantages that may mitigate some negative consequences of the pandemic on fellowship education.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document