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Two languages in one mind: Effects of the L2 on the L1 in higher education

Two languages in one mind: Effects of the L2 on the L1 in higher education. Marcelyn Oostendorp Department of General Linguistics moostendorp@sun.ac.za. Multilingualism is a rare phenomenon Real multilinguals have equal and perfect knowledge of their languages

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Two languages in one mind: Effects of the L2 on the L1 in higher education

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  1. Two languages in one mind: Effects of the L2 on the L1 in higher education MarcelynOostendorp Department of General Linguistics moostendorp@sun.ac.za

  2. Multilingualism is a rare phenomenon • Real multilinguals have equal and perfect knowledge of their languages • Multilinguals code-switch out of pure laziness • Children raised as multilinguals will always mix their languages • Children are better language learners than adults • Once a language is learned, it is never forgotten

  3. Two of my research questions • What are the effects of increased exposure to English in a teaching and learning context on academic literacy in Afrikaans? • What are the effects of increased exposure to English in a teaching and learning context on general academic achievement?

  4. Participants • Afrikaans/English bilinguals with Afrikaans as dominant language • Previous education in Afrikaans • First year students at SU • Examined differences between group with less exposure to English in teaching and learning (A= stream, parallel medium) and group with more exposure to English in teaching and learning (some modules through T option) • Examined differences across time for the duration of first year.

  5. Research instruments - standardised tests of academic literacy (in Afrikaans) - weighted average of first year as an indication of academic achievement. - Semi-structured interviews

  6. Results • Academic literacy: No statistically significant difference between the two groups • Academic achievement: No statistically significant difference between the two groups.

  7. It is estimated that at least half of world’s population is at least bilingual. • Very few multilinguals know all their languages “perfectly” • Multilinguals code-switch for a variety of reasons • Children raised as multilinguals tend to mix their languages more when communicating with other multilinguals. • Children seem to be better language learners than adults in certain aspects of language acquisition, but in others, adults are better • If languages are not used it can attrite, but that it can also be re-learned again.

  8. Baie dankie Thank you very much Enkosi kakhulu moostendorp@sun.ac.za

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