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Bilingualism & Cognition - PSY00090M

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• Department: Psychology
• Module co-ordinator: Dr. Angela De Bruin
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: M
• Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
  • See module specification for other years: 2021-22 2023-24

Module will run

Occurrence	Teaching period
A	Autumn Term 2022-23

Module aims

We are living in an increasingly international society in which bilingualism and communicating in a non-native language are becoming the norm rather than an exception. This course considers the cognitive mechanisms underlying bilingual language use. We will review how bilinguals understand and speak two languages as well as how and why bilinguals switch between their languages. We will also discuss if and why there might be a critical period for second language acquisition. Lastly, we will consider if and how bilingualism might interact with other domains, including executive functions and decision making. Throughout the module we will consider how these different topics might relate to individual differences between bilinguals.

Module learning outcomes

• Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of the methods researchers use to study bilingual language processing and production
• Understand issues related to measuring and defining bilingualism and evaluate how these issues might be overcome in future research
• Critically evaluate evidence for and against a critical period in second language acquisition
• Compare and contrast theories on bilingual comprehension and production
• Demonstrate a deep understanding of cognitive mechanisms involved in different types of language switching and the reasons why bilinguals switch
• Critically evaluate studies assessing bilingualism and cognitive functioning
• Show a thorough understanding of potential interactions between a bilingual’s languages and decision making

Module content

• Definitions of bilingualism and individual differences between bilinguals
• Second language acquisition
• Bilingual language comprehension
• Bilingual language production
• Language switching
• Bilingualism and cognitive functioning

Assessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Essay :Bilingualism and Cognition	N/A	40
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) Exam : Bilingualism and Cognition	5 hours	60

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task	Length	% of module mark
Essay/coursework Essay :Bilingualism and Cognition	N/A	40
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) Exam : Bilingualism and Cognition	5 hours	60

Module feedback

The marks on all assessed work will be provided on e-vision.

Indicative reading

De Bruin, A. (2019). Not all bilinguals are the same: A call for more detailed assessments and descriptions of bilingual experiences. Behavioral Sciences, 9(3), 33.

Declerck, M., & Philipp, A. M. (2015). A review of control processes and their locus in language switching. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 22(6), 1630-1645.

Lehtonen, M., Soveri, A., Laine, A., Järvenpää, J., de Bruin, A., & Antfolk, J. (2018). Is bilingualism associated with enhanced executive functioning in adults? A meta-analytic review. Psychological Bulletin, 144(4), 394-425.