McNair Journal Publication

Diana Santoyo’s McNair study has been published here!

Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine dual language learners’ (DLLs) bilingual proficiency and the association between proficiency and executive function (EF) components of inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility. Data were collected from 31 Mexican-American and 53 Chinese-American preschoolers enrolled in Head Start centers in Northern California. Results show that, on average, Spanish-English and Cantonese-English DLLs score similarly low in both English and their home language. There were no significant differences between the Mexican-American and Chinese-American children on the oral language measures in both L1 and English. Furthermore, despite their low oral proficiency, EF scores suggest that on average they score similarly to their monolingual-English speaking peers. DLLs with stronger language skills in both languages tended to do better on EF than those with low skills in both languages. Implications for educational policy and classroom instruction will be discussed.

Congratulations Diana!