Keller Karin, Troesch Larissa M, Loher Sarah, Grob Alexander
Department of Psychology, University of BaselBasel, Switzerland; School Psychology Services, Canton of Basel-StadtBasel, Switzerland.
Department of Psychology, University of Basel Basel, Switzerland.
Front Psychol. 2016 Jul 6;7:1015. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01015. eCollection 2016.
The present longitudinal study evaluates the effect of effortful control (EC) as a core dimension of temperament on early language competence. We assume that first and second language competence is influenced by EC, and that immigrant children with low EC are thus at risk of an unfavorable language development. The sample consisted of n = 351 dual language learners (DLLs) with an immigrant background and n = 78 monolingual children. Language competence was measured with a standardized language test at age 4.9 years and at age 6.3 years. EC was captured with the Child Behavior Questionnaire, completed by teachers. Results of regression analyses revealed a significant effect of EC on second language development. DLLs with lower EC were found to have not only lower language competence at the beginning and the end of kindergarten but also a less favorable language development. Comparisons between the effect of EC on first and second language provide evidence that EC plays a bigger role in subsequent second language competence compared to first language competence. Overall, the results emphasize the small yet significant role of EC in the second language development of DLLs.
本纵向研究评估了作为气质核心维度的努力控制（EC）对早期语言能力的影响。我们假设第一语言和第二语言能力受努力控制的影响，因此努力控制水平低的移民儿童有语言发展不利的风险。样本包括n = 351名有移民背景的双语学习者（DLL）和n = 78名单语儿童。在4.9岁和6.3岁时用标准化语言测试测量语言能力。努力控制通过教师填写的儿童行为问卷来获取。回归分析结果显示努力控制对第二语言发展有显著影响。发现努力控制水平较低的双语学习者不仅在幼儿园开始和结束时语言能力较低，而且语言发展也较不理想。努力控制对第一语言和第二语言影响的比较提供了证据，表明与第一语言能力相比，努力控制在后续第二语言能力中发挥着更大的作用。总体而言，结果强调了努力控制在双语学习者第二语言发展中虽小但显著的作用。
