Current Studies
Click on the following studies for more information or scroll to see study information below:
Dual Language Learning in Young Children with ASD (18 – 35 month olds)
Talking Late in Two Languages Study (2 and 4 year olds)
Learning in Two Languages: Ukrainian and/or Russian Story Telling (3 – 9 year olds)
Learning in two Languages: Virtual Bilingualism Study (4 and 5 year olds)
Look, Listen, Learn! (4 – 8 year olds)
African American Language (AAL) Learn (4 – 9 year olds)
Learning in two Languages: Word Learning across Accents and Time Scales (6, 7, and 8 year olds)
Mandarin and English Word Learning (4-6 year olds)
中英文双语词汇学习研究 (4–6岁双)
Bilingual Adults: Long-Term Language Outcomes of Dual language Immersion Programs (18 – 25 year olds)
Dual Language Learning in Young Children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) – In Person
We are learning about how 2-year-old children develop their language skills.
Who is eligible?
- 18-36 month old children who have been exposed to Spanish in the home and are typically developing.
- 24-36 month old children who have been exposed to Spanish in the home and have an autism diagnosis or suspected autism.
What does participation involve?
Participation includes 4-6 sessions scheduled at your convenience. Each session is around 60-120 minutes, for 3-6 total hours of participation. Children complete language and thinking games, and standardized assessments. Parents complete questionnaires and parent-child interactive activities with toys.
Where does this study happen?
UW Waisman Center: 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- Complete our Interest Form
- uwbilingualismlab@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
Why participate?
- If your chid has an autism diagnosis or suspected autism, participation in this study includes a diagnostic evaluation for autism.
- Compensation
- If your child is typically developing, you will receive a gift card of $30 after the first session, $40 after the second session, and $50 for completing all the questionnaires.
- If your child is has an autism diagnosis or suspected autism, you will receive a gift card of $45 after the first session, $60 after the second session, and $100 for completing all of the questionnaires.
- You will also receive compensation for gas mileage (at 50 cents per mile).
- You will receive a free report of your child’s language assessments.
Talking Late in Two Languages Study
We are learning about how 2- and 4-year-old children develop their language skills.
Who is eligible?
2 (24-35 months) and 4-year old children who have been exposed to English and Spanish and are typically developing or with language delay.
What does participation involve?
Participation includes 2-4 sessions scheduled at your convenience. At age 2, two total sessions; at age 4, two total sessions. Each session is around 60-90 minutes, for 2-6 total hours of participation. Children complete language and thinking games, and standardized assessments. Parents complete questionnaires and parent-child interactive activities with toys.
Why participate?
- At age 2, participants will receive a gift card of $15 after the first session, $20 after the second session, and $10 for completing all the questionnaires. This repeats again at age 4.
- Your child will be able to choose a small prize after each session.
- You will also receive compensation for gas mileage (at 50 cents per mile).
- You will receive a free report of your child’s language assessments.
Where does the study happen?
Participants have the option to complete the study:
- In-person at the UW Waisman Center: 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
OR
- Virtually through Zoom
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- Complete our Interest Form
- uwbilingualismlab@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
Learning in Two Languages: Ukrainian and/or Russian Story Telling
We are interested in how children develop their language skills and how they are able to code-switch, or switch between languages. We also want to see what factors shape the child’s language development, so we will ask the caregivers about both the child’s and their language experience.
Who is eligible?
Bilingual 3-9 year old children, who speak English and Ukrainian and/or Russian.
What does participation involve?
Your child will listen to 3 short stories about a frog. Then, we will ask your child to retell us the stories as best as they can with the help of pictures. We want to see how much language your child is able to produce! Additionally, your child will do a standardized test of thinking skills that involves looking for patterns in pictures and shapes.
Why participate?
Participants in this study will receive $20 for completing questionnaires and $15 for completion of the session. This compensation will be delivered as an electronic gift card to
Amazon, Target, or Walmart upon completion of the study.
Where does this study happen?
This study will take place on a video call. Participation includes one 60-minute session scheduled at your convenience.
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- Email: uwbilingualismlab@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
Learning in two Languages: Virtual Bilingualism Study
We are learning about how 4-5 year old children develop their language skills. Help us to learn more about bilingualism and language development!
Who is eligible?
Bilingual 4-5 year old children who speak English and Spanish and are either typically developing or with language impairment.
What does participation involve?
Participation includes four 60-90 minute sessions scheduled at your convenience. Children play engaging computer games, standardized assessments of language and thinking skills. Parents complete questionnaires and parent-child interactive activities with toys.
Why participate?
Eligible participants receive:
- Free language evaluation of English and Spanish language skills
- $15 for the first session, $20 for the second session, $25 for the third session, and $30 for the final session
Where does the study happen?
Virtually, through Zoom
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- Complete our Interest Form
- uwbilingualismlab@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
Look, Listen, Learn! – In Person
We are learning about how 4 to 7 year-old children understand and learn English and Spanish. Help us learn more about language development!
Who is eligible?
Bilingual (Spanish-English) AND monolingual (English) children ages 4-7 years who are either typically developing or with language impairment
What does participation involve?
Participation includes three or four 60-90 minute sessions scheduled at your convenience. Children play engaging computer games, complete standardized assessments of language and thinking skills, and listen to stories. Parents complete questionnaires and participate in play with their child.
Why participate?
- Compensation
- $20 for the first session and $30 for subsequent sessions
- Cash compensation for gas mileage (at 50 cents per mile)
- A book for your child
- Free language evaluation of language skills
Where does this study happen?
UW Waisman Center: 1500 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- Complete our Interest Form
- uwbilingualismlab@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
African American Language (AAL) Learn
We want to better understand language development in the Black community.
Who is eligible?
Children Ages 4-9
What does participation involve?
One 60 minute Zoom session and completion of consent and background information questionnaires
Why participate?
- Compensated with a $20 giftcard
- Help us learn more about dialect and word learning!
Where does the study happen?
Virtually through Zoom
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- uwbilingualismlab@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
Learning in two Languages: Word Learning across Accents and Time Scales
We are learning about how children develop their language skills.
Who is eligible?
Children age 6-9 who speak English or English and Spanish.
What does participation involve?
Participation includes 2 virtual sessions, each lasting about 60 to 90 minutes, conveniently scheduled for you and your family. Within the session, children will complete language and thinking games and standardized assessments. Parents will complete questionnaires about both their and their child’s language history and development, facilitate the computer connection, assist with assessments.
Why participate?
- Compensation via Amazon gift card
- Participants will receive $15 after the first session and $20 after the second session
Where does this study happen?
On Zoom, from your house or other private space.
Participants have the option to do the session in person at the UW Waisman Center if participants prefer.
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- Complete our Interest Form
- uwbilingualismlab@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
Mandarin and English Word learning
We are interest in how Mandarin-English bilingual children develop their language skills and how they code switch, or switch between languages in everyday communications. We want to understand how children’s language experiences shape their language development, so we will ask caregivers about both the child’s and their own language experiences.
Who is eligible?
Bilingual 4-6 year old children who speak Mandarin and English.
What does participation involve?
Participation includes 1–2 virtual sessions via zoom, with each session lasting approximately 1 hour (no longer than 1.5 hours). Sessions will be scheduled at a time that is convenient for your family.
Before the study session, caregivers will complete questionnaires about:
- Your child’s language history and current language use
- Your child’s development and language experiences
- Your own language experiences
During the study session, your child will participate in language and thinking activities, including:
- Learning and recognizing new words
- Answering questions and naming pictures
- Completing language tasks in English and Mandarin
- Completing attention and memory activities
- Completing standardized tests of language and thinking skills
Your child’s participation will help us understand how bilingual Mandarin-English speaking children develop language skills.
Why participate?
Participants will receive compensation for completing study activities.
Families will receive:
- You will receive a gift card of $35.00 after completing both sessions of the study.
Where does this study happen?
This study takes place remotely through a video call (Zoom).
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- labchinesewordlearn@waisman.wisc.edu
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
中英文双语词汇学习研究
关于本研究
我们感兴趣中英文双语儿童如何发展语言能力，以及他们如何在日常交流中进行语言转换（code-switching）。我们希望了解儿童的语言经历如何影响他们的语言发展，因此我们将向监护人询问有关儿童语言经历以及监护人自身语言经历的信息。
谁可以参加？
会说中文和英语的4–6岁双语儿童。
参与内容是什么？
参与包括1–2次线上研究活动，每次约持续1小时（最长不超过1.5小时）。研究时间将根据您家庭的方便程度进行安排。
在研究开始前，监护人需要完成有关以下内容的问卷：
- 您孩子的语言背景和目前的语言使用情况
- 您孩子的发展情况和语言经历
- 您自身的语言经历
在研究过程中，您的孩子将参与语言和认知能力相关活动，包括：
- 学习和识别新词
- 回答问题和命名图片
- 完成英语和普通话语言任务
- 完成注意力和记忆力活动
- 完成标准化语言和认知能力测试
您孩子的参与将帮助我们更好地了解中英文双语儿童的语言发展过程。
为什么参加？
参与者将因完成研究而获得补偿。
家庭将获得：
- 在两次研究之后获得 $35的礼品卡
补偿将在研究结束后提供
研究在哪里进行？
本研究将通过视频通话（Zoom）远程进行。
如何开始参与？
联系我们：
- 邮箱： labchinesewordlearn@waisman.wisc.edu
- 电话： (608) 263-5764
- 短信： (608) 345-5350
Current Adult Studies
Bilingual Adults: Long-Term Language Outcomes of Dual language Immersion Programs – Virtual
We are learning how native-English speaking adults maintain their Spanish skills.
Who is eligible?
18-25 year old adults who are native-English speakers AND have participated in a Dual Language Immersion program at some point during their childhood
What does participation involve?
Participation involves virtual completion of a set of language background and usage questionnaires (~45 minutes)
Why participate?
- Compensation of $12/hr through giftcard of choice
- Your participation will help contribute to much needed research into bilingual (Spanish/English) education!
Where does this study happen?
Online, asynchronous survey to be completed at your preferred time
How do I get started?
Contact us:
- Call: (608) 263-5764
- Text: (608) 345-5350
