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Cited by 81EFL/ESL Teaching and LearningSecond Language Acquisition and LearningMultilingual Education and Policy

An investigation of cross-linguistic transfer between Chinese and English: a meta-analysis

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Yang, Man, Cooc, North, Sheng, Li·2017·Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education
DOI 10.1186/s40862-017-0036-9
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Abstract

Cross-linguistic transfer embodies language learners’ use of linguistic knowledge of their first language to leverage the learning of a second language. The cross-linguisitc transfer between Chinese and English has been studied by scholars from different disciplines. However, variances and inconsistencies exist among prior studies regarding the investigated linguistic domains and reported results. Therefore, a meta-analysis is needed to systematically investigate the cross-linguistic transfer between Chinese and English. This meta-analysis presents research on cross-linguistic transfer between the two languages in four domains: phonological awareness, decoding skills, vocabulary, and morphological awareness. Using 33 articles conducted in different countries, our results show small to moderate levels of transfer in the above four domains. In addition, it was found that the results were moderated by geographic location of the study and participant age. Overall, the meta-analysis indicates that English and Chinese share common linguistic features that can allow for transfer in learning between the languages. Bilingual learners can benefit in educational environments that tap into these linguistic features.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Yang, M., Cooc, N., & Sheng, L.
Affiliations
University of Delaware (US)
Corresponding author
Sheng, Li
ORCID
Venue
Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2017-10-02
Volume
2
Issue
1
ISSN
2363-5169 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s40862-017-0036-9
OpenAlex
W2764258085
Cited by
81
References
8
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 13 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 2
FWCI
6.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
University of Texas at Austin
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Language and Linguistics › EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Second Language Acquisition and Learning
  • Social Sciences › Linguistics and Language › Multilingual Education and Policy
Keywords
language transfer, second language acquisition, phonological awareness, decoding skills, vocabulary acquisition, morphological awareness, geographic location effects, dual language learners

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