Lauren Mack

Writing Assignment #1
TASL 501
September 19, 2014
Klein, D., Mok, K., Chen, J-K., & Watkins, K. E. (2014). Age of language learning shapes brain
structure: A cortical thickness study of bilingual and monolingual individuals. Brain &
Language, 131, 20-24.
Abstract: This study was undertaken to examine the brain structure of a monolingual and a
bilingual user and how age and the cortical thickness can affect the learner in acquiring
language. The MRI scans of 22 monolingual and 66 bilingual users were assessed and
compared regarding to acquisition of a language. Examination of these scans shows a
correlation of a thicker cortex and later acquisition to language.
Summary
Introduction: Due to the brain stages of development, there is a difference in the early
acquisition of language and the age in which an individual acquires a second language. In
this study, researchers examine how learning a second language, at varying age ranges,
may affect the structure of the brain. It involves comparing and contrasting the MRI scans
of various carefully selected participants and the times of when they acquired first
language and a second language.
Method: For this study, 88 participants, 66 of who were bilingual and 22 being
monolingual, were selected for an MRI scan. The group of participants were a healthy mix
of male and females with the criteria of being right-handed, no neurological history or
hearing impairment, of a certain age range and socioeconomic status. The bilingual
individuals were split into three subgroups: learning both languages simultaneously, early
acquisition of the second language between 4-7 years old, and acquiring the second

Lauren Mack
Writing Assignment #1
TASL 501
September 19, 2014
language late childhood after 8 years of age. The images of the MR included measurements
of the cortical thickness across the brain of each individual. The goal was to compare and
contrast the cortical thickness in two conditions: between the bilinguals and the
monolinguals, and in reference to the age of L2 acquisition, proficiency, and amount of time
exposed to language in the bilingual participants.
Results: The thickness of the brains cortex was measured and compared between the
groups of monolingual and bilingual individuals. Differences were observed between the
two parts of the brain structure in terms of thickness: the thickness of the left front side
cortex was thicker in the group of bilinguals who learned a second language and in the
early acquisition leaners compared to monolinguals; whereas the right front side of the
cortex was reduced in thickness in comparison to the monolingual individuals. In
reference to the age of L2 acquisition, they found the older an individual was in learning an
L2, the thicker the cortex was in the lower front part of the brain and thinner on the right
side. This study provided visuals of the brain structure and graphs to show the relations
between the two groups of monolingual and bilingual.
Discussion: In the process of this study, modifications were made to get a clearer picture of
how age can affect when a second language is acquired. The results confirm a difference in
the brain structure when acquiring a second language at a later age. The acquisition of two
languages simultaneously shows no significant effect on the brain structure in relation to
monolinguals; however later acquisition of a second language shows a thicker cortex on the
front left side of the brain and reduction of thickness on the right front side. This study

Lauren Mack
Writing Assignment #1
TASL 501
September 19, 2014
supports the findings of previous researches done on grey matter density and the age of
acquisition.