Studies in Second Language Acquisition

Table of Contents - 1981 - Volume 4, Issue 01  

Research Notes

First-language differences in processing spatial/chronological and hierarchical information

Michael Long, Robin Scarcella and Anne V. Martina1

a1 Syracuse University

Abstract

In a recent study of 190 university-level advanced ESL students from 8 first-language backgrounds, significant differences were found between several groups in their proficiency in processing spatial/chronological and hierarchical information in written discourse. This paper summarizes the study, presents the results and suggests possible variables which may contribute to first-language differences in acquiring English.