Degree of Bilingualism and Cognitive Abilities in Mandarin-Taiwanese Bilingual Children

Author: Li-chun Chang(Department of Early Childhood Education, National Tainan University)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 53, No. 1
Date：April 2008
Pages：79-106
DOI：10.3966/2073753X2008045301004

Abstract：

This study was conducted to examine the relationship between bilingualism and cognitive abilities, as predicted by Threshold theory. Two age groups of subjects were studied, kindergarten and second grade. All children were Mandarin/Taiwanese bilinguals with different degree of proficiency. Two measures of cognitive instruments were employed, the Chinese Version of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence and Torrance’s Tests of Creative Thinking (Figural B). On the whole, the results were consistent with theory, in that an overall bilingual superiority was found only for those children who had attained a high degree of bilingualism. This was especially the case in the divergent thinking measure.

Keywords：Mandarin-Taiwanese bilingual, intelligence, creativity

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