Tesis profesional presentada por Marie Theraulaz

Maestría en Lingüística Aplicada. Departamento de Lenguas. Escuela de Artes y Humanidades, Universidad de las Américas Puebla.

Jurado Calificador

Presidente: Dra. Lydia Elizabeth Giles Torres
Secretario y Director: Dra. Connie Rae Johnson McDaniel
Vocal: Dra. Brita Banitz

Cholula, Puebla, México a 13 de mayo de 2010.

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive skills. It shows how 10 to 12 year old bilingual learners apply cognitive aptitudes on mathematic tests compared to monolingual speakers. The study took place in Mexico and compared monolingual Spanish speakers with bilingual Spanish ? German speakers regarding their cognitive aptitudes. The cognitive skills that were being investigated were velocity in spatial speed, short-term memory, logical thinking and abstract reasoning.

This study is especially addressed to teachers and parents because it shows the cognitive impact on a child who is learning content in a second language. The results demonstrate that bilingual education in the group tested increases the positive use of cognitive skills on tasks such as mathematics. The study also indicates a difference between gender in which boys outperformed girls in the tests.

Finally, this study has been conducted to encourage bilingual education in Mexico and to show parents that this kind of education does not overwhelm their children, on the contrary, it augments their ability to use their cognitive skills.

Table of content

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Review of Literature

  • 2.1 View of bilingualism in the sixties
  • 2.2 Bilingualism: Definition
  • 2.3 Additive and subtractive bilingualism
  • 2.4 Bilingualism and brain functions
  • 2.5 Learning content in two languages
  • 2.6 Bilingualism and cognitive skills
  • 2.7 Mathematics and language competence
  • 2.8 Language and gender

Chapter 3. Methodology

  • 3.1 Place of the investigation and description of the institution? programs
  • 3.2 Participants
  • 3.3 Procedure for the realization of the tests
  • 3.4 Coding of the tests
  • 3.5 Pilot of the study

Chapter 4. Results and Discussion

  • 4.1 Results of test 1: Spatial speed test
  • 4.2 Results of test 2: visual memory test (pattern recognition)
  • 4.3 Results of test 3: logical thinking test
  • 4.4 Results of test 4: abstract reasoning test
  • 4.5 Answers to the research questions
  • 4.6 Evaluation of the hypotheses

Chapter 5. Conclusion

References

Appendix A. 1. Test 3 (español)

Appendix B. 2. Test 4 (Deutsch)

Appendix C. 3. Test 4 (español)

Appendix D. 4. Test 4 (Deutsch)

Appendix E. 5. Results of the four tests listed separately per group and individually for each participant

Theraulaz, M. 2010. Learning content in a second language: Advantageous for the brain? A comparison of monolingual and bilingual students´ cognitive aptitudes in mathematics learning. Tesis Maestría. Lingüística Aplicada. Departamento de Lenguas, Escuela de Artes y Humanidades, Universidad de las Américas Puebla. Mayo. Derechos Reservados © 2010.