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UBC Theses and Dissertations
Second language learning and academic achievement revisited : a connectionist deconstruction of the cognitive consequences of bilingualism Hawson, Anne
Abstract
The original Threshold Hypothesis proposed in 1976 by Cummins as a reasonable explanation of the data gathered to that date on the cognitive consequences of learning a second language has gained widespread acceptance in second language teaching circles, but has been the subject of considerable debate among second language researchers. An examination of the critiques of the hypothesis as well as the responses invoked by these critiques reveals that much of the criticism is well-founded. Given that the Threshold Hypothesis proposes that "cognitive" benefits or deficits can accrue through the learning of a second language, the conceptualization of cognition underpinning the hypothesis is important in understanding its inadequacies. Upon examination of Cummins' work, it is concluded that cognitive processing is considered by Cummins to be a discrete category of brain processing operating at the conceptual level. A fundamental premise of this thesis is that connectionism, which proposes that cognition is more appropriately described as operating on a sub-conceptual level, and as being intimately intertwined and dependent upon what have been regarded as "noncognitive" aspects of brain functioning such as emotion, attention, and sensory processing, provides a new and potentially enlightening perspective on cognitive issues. A critique of connectionism as a valid model of learning in the brain suggests that it has considerable validity, but cannot yet describe all types and/or all processes involved in learning. Nevertheless, it is concluded that a model of second language learning built upon the conjectures of connectionism could bring new insights into how second language learning in immersion situations affects brain processing, and thereby provide clues which might explain perceived cognitive benefits and deficits. The model developed proposes that, under immersion conditions, second language learners may be undergoing an attentional shift in information processing towards the visual system, and away from the auditory. If this hypothesis can be substantiated by empirical tests, it could explain why second language learners in immersion situations are in danger of becoming poor readers, and may provide fertile ground for the development of remedial educational treatments. This is a wholly theoretical study based on literature research.
Item Metadata
Title |
Second language learning and academic achievement revisited : a connectionist deconstruction of the cognitive consequences of bilingualism
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1996
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Description |
The original Threshold Hypothesis proposed in 1976 by Cummins as a
reasonable explanation of the data gathered to that date on the
cognitive consequences of learning a second language has gained
widespread acceptance in second language teaching circles, but has
been the subject of considerable debate among second language
researchers. An examination of the critiques of the hypothesis as
well as the responses invoked by these critiques reveals that much
of the criticism is well-founded. Given that the Threshold
Hypothesis proposes that "cognitive" benefits or deficits can
accrue through the learning of a second language, the
conceptualization of cognition underpinning the hypothesis is
important in understanding its inadequacies. Upon examination of
Cummins' work, it is concluded that cognitive processing is
considered by Cummins to be a discrete category of brain processing
operating at the conceptual level.
A fundamental premise of this thesis is that connectionism, which
proposes that cognition is more appropriately described as
operating on a sub-conceptual level, and as being intimately
intertwined and dependent upon what have been regarded as "noncognitive"
aspects of brain functioning such as emotion, attention,
and sensory processing, provides a new and potentially enlightening
perspective on cognitive issues. A critique of connectionism as a
valid model of learning in the brain suggests that it has
considerable validity, but cannot yet describe all types and/or all
processes involved in learning. Nevertheless, it is concluded that
a model of second language learning built upon the conjectures of
connectionism could bring new insights into how second language
learning in immersion situations affects brain processing, and
thereby provide clues which might explain perceived cognitive
benefits and deficits.
The model developed proposes that, under immersion conditions,
second language learners may be undergoing an attentional shift in
information processing towards the visual system, and away from the
auditory. If this hypothesis can be substantiated by empirical
tests, it could explain why second language learners in immersion
situations are in danger of becoming poor readers, and may provide
fertile ground for the development of remedial educational
treatments. This is a wholly theoretical study based on literature
research.
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Extent |
17063010 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-02-20
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0054740
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1996-05
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.