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Ricerche di Psicologia/Psychological Research Journal - Open Access

Articoli

No. 2 (2024)

Bilingualism and numeracy: Does language matter?

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/rip2024oa18583
Submitted
ottobre 1, 2024
Published
2024-11-15

Abstract

Numerical processing and calculation skills constitute an important aspect of school learning but there are still relatively few studies that have investigated these skills in pupils with a bilingual profile exposed to Italian as a second language.
In this contribution, after a brief presentation of the main theoretical models of number processing, the relationships between linguistic and numerical skills will be illustrated considering the main predictors of numerical skills, the mathematical lexicon, the relationship between language and numerical cognition and with an in-depth analysis of the assessment of math skills, which may involve symbolic, non-symbolic processes and problem-solving skills. A reflection follows on the role of environmental variables in the development of numerical and calculation skills. Finally, implications for educational and clinical contexts are discussed.

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