Do Dutch/English cognates and word frequency affect English vocabulary testing in secondary bilingual education? Evidence from the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test

Abstract

In order to examine vocabulary learning, the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) is a test often used. Although this test was first designed for L1 vocabulary, it is currently being used also for L2 vocabulary. This thesis aims to examine to what extent Dutch first language (L1) vocabulary interferes with English second language (L2) vocabulary testing. For that, two variables were considered: cognates and word frequency of the two languages. Results suggest that both factors might compromise the results from the English PPVT (4th edition) from Dutch/English bilingual pupils.