Language Development Lab

homepage1  homepage2  homepage3

The Language Development Lab is a research group in the Department of Psychology on the Davie campus of Florida Atlantic University, directed by Dr. Erika Hoff. The focus of our research is on the processes of bilingual development. Our broad aim is to understand the language and literacy development of children who grow up exposed to two languages. A specific goal is to identify factors that help children from bilingual homes acquire the English they need to succeed in school while also acquiring their families' heritage language. The Language Development Lab has been continuously funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development since 2007.

Qualified researchers who are interested in making use of this longitudinal database are invited to send inquiries to Erika Hoff at ehoff@fau.edu.

Frequently asked questions about raising children in bilingual homes.

The National Institutes of Health has made videos answering some of your most frequently asked questions.

You are giving your child the opportunity to learn two languages. In the long run, being bilingual is a valuable asset. In the short run, learning two languages takes a little longer than learning one.

You should interact with your child in the language or languages that are most comfortable for you. Children need to experience lots of natural, meaningful conversation to learn a language. If you are more comfortable in Spanish, you are probably doing a better job of helping your child learn Spanish. You can help your child learn English by finding English-language activities such as library story hours or sports activities where he or she will interact with native English speakers.

It can be difficult to maintain Spanish as children get older. Try to provide your child opportunities for natural, meaningful conversations in Spanish-language settings. Interactions with Spanish speakers who do not speak English will make using Spanish more natural and meaningful.

Most schools in Florida administer tests of English language knowledge and of reading skill, and many reports these scores to parents. Ask your child's teacher or school what tests your child is given and what reports are available.

Usted le esta dando la oportunidad de aprender dos idiomas. A largo plazo, ser bilingüe es una ventaja valiosa. A corto plazo, aprender dos idiomas toma un poco más de tiempo que aprender uno.

Usted debería interactuar con su hijo/a en el idioma o idiomas con el/los que se sienta más cómodo. Los niños necesitan experimentar y vivenciar conversaciones significativas para aprender un idioma. Si se siente más cómodo hablando en español con su hijo/a, probablemente le estará ayudando positivamente a aprender español. Puede ayudarle a aprender inglés participando en actividades fuera de la casa que utilicen inglés, como serían asistir a la lectura de historias o cuentos en la biblioteca o a actividades deportivas que le permitan a su hijo/a interactuar con gente cuya lengua nativa sea el inglés.

Puede ser difícil que los niños mantengan el español a medida que crecen. Intente darle a su hijo oportunidades de interactuar en situaciones en las que tenga que conversar en español. El interactuar con hispano-parlantes que no hablen inglés hará el uso del español más natural y significativo.

La mayoría de las escuelas en la Florida utilizan pruebas (tests) para determinar el nivel de inglés y las habilidades de lectura de los niños y muchas les proporcionan estos resultados a los padres. Consulte con los maestros o con la escuela de su hijo/a para conocer cuáles de estos exámenes le han dado a su hijo/a y qué informes estarían disponibles para los padres.
View All

Contact & Directions

Directions

From I-95 North/South

  1. Take I-595 west to Davie Road. At Davie Road make a left and go South to Nova Drive (2nd light). Turn right on Nova Drive and go West to College Avenue (1st light). At College Avenue make a left and the campus will be approximately 1 block on the left. Make the 2nd true left onto Florida Atlantic University.   

From Weston, Plantation,   Davie   or Sunrise

  1. Take I-595 east to University Road. Head South on University. Make a left at the 3rd light, which is Nova Drive. Make a right at the 1st light, which is College Ave. Make the 2nd true left onto Florida Atlantic University.   

Parking

  1. Parking at FAU can be difficult, so please allow extra time to find a space.   
  1. If you are participating in one of our studies, call your research associate once you enter FAU so that she may come down to greet you and give you your parking pass.   
  1. Park in the parking lot that is located right past the tennis courts that will be on your left side after the 2nd speed bump. The Education and Science Building will be on your right side once you pass those tennis courts. It is the last building on your right side before the road turns slightly to the right. In this parking   lot,  the   white parking spots are designated for STUDENTS and the yellow ones for FACULTY/STAFF. With the parking pass that you will be given, you   are allowed to   park in either the white or the yellow spots...   
  1. After parking your car, walk down the pathway towards the Education and Science Building. If you bring a stroller, you can take it in the elevator and to our lab without a problem. Go to the 2nd floor. Once you come out of the elevator, make a left. Then make the first immediate left. Follow the signs that will lead you to THE LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT LAB. The lab will be on your right side in Room 247. When you arrive, a research associate will be there to greet you. 

Contact Information

FAU Davie Campus
Senator James A. Scott Education and Science Building (ES Building)   
Language Development Lab (Room 247)   
Phone : (954) 236-1611   

Mailing Address

Florida Atlantic University, Davie Campus   
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Psychology Department   
3200 College Ave.   
Davie, FL 33314   

For more information on ongoing studies, please e-mail us at   langdevlab@fau.edu Or visit our Facebook Page at   https://www.facebook.com/faulangdevlab/   

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science prepares students for careers in various fields, including biology, mathematics, physics and psychology.The Charles E. Schmidt College of Science offers unparalleled experiential learning opportunities to prepare the next generation of scientists and problem solvers.The College of Engineering and Computer Science offers majors in areas of national priority such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, transportation and supply chain management.

Contact Us

location_on
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Rd, SE-43
Boca Raton, FL 33431
call (561) 297-3035