How bilingualism affects reading comprehension and text integration.
Official title: Bilingual discourse comprehension: How is text integration affected by overlap in language?
Funded at University of Texas El Paso · NIH-11046612 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how people who speak two languages understand what they read compared to those who only speak one language, with the goal of helping improve reading skills and teaching methods for bilingual readers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas El Paso NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (El Paso, United States) |
| Project start | April 13, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $151,360 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM149515-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11046612 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are bilingual adults, particularly those who are college students or have completed less education.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are monolingual or those who have not engaged in bilingual education may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how bilingual individuals integrate information while reading, focusing on the differences between bilingual and monolingual readers. It aims to enhance educational outcomes by developing a better understanding of the cognitive processes involved in reading for bilinguals. The study will test a specific model of discourse comprehension, examining how bilingual readers retrieve information from texts using both automatic and deliberate processes. By addressing the unique characteristics of bilingual readers, the research seeks to inform educational practices and improve literacy skills.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved educational strategies and resources for bilingual individuals, enhancing their reading comprehension and academic achievement.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding bilingual reading processes can lead to significant advancements in educational outcomes, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas El Paso
El Paso, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, Ana I — University of Texas El Paso
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, Ana I
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.