ERIC Number: EJ1435392
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1367-0050
EISSN: EISSN-1747-7522
Predictors of Dual-Language Literacy Attainment in Irish-English Bilinguals
Emily Barnes; Neasa Ní Chiaráin; Ailbhe Ní Chasaide
International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, v27 n8 p1069-1084 2024
The aim of this study is to examine which predictor variables are related to literacy attainment in Irish (Gaelic)-English bilinguals. The participants were in their second (n = 115) and third (n = 125) year of schooling in Ireland and were drawn from both native speaker and new speaker backgrounds. The constructs of phonemic awareness, verbal fluency (RAN) and verbal short-term memory were investigated as predictors of Irish word reading accuracy and spelling. The results indicate that the predictors of Irish and English literacy attainment differ, though phonemic awareness is the most effective predictor of literacy attainment in each language. Notably, the Irish predictor tasks were significant predictors of English literacy attainment, while the English predictor tasks were not significant predictors of Irish literacy attainment, supporting the unidirectional transfer of skills from Irish to English in this cohort. The implications of this study highlight the importance of developing bilingual screening and diagnostic assessments for literacy in the Irish-English context, something which is currently lacking.
Descriptors: Irish, English, Bilingual Education, Grade 2, Grade 3, Elementary School Students, Immersion Programs, Parents, Linguistics, Educational Background, Student Characteristics, Literacy, Academic Achievement, Predictor Variables, Phonemic Awareness, Verbal Development, Short Term Memory, Foreign Countries
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Grade 2; Primary Education; Grade 3
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ireland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A