Features of Bilingualism and Foreign Language Outcomes

Abstract

Bilingualism is not a homogeneous phenomenon that affects individuals in similar ways. Rather, the bilingual experience is a dynamic one, in which several characteristics not only play a main role in learning outcomes, but also often relate to each other. This is especially the case for the factors of language competence, exposure and use of language, learning manner, acquis-ition age and linguistic typology. These characteristics can influence to what extend metalin-guistic awareness is improved, afterwards influencing extra language learning.  The construct of language proficiency, or the level of ability in a language, has been an important topic for both study and the greater society, especially with regard to bilingual students who have immigrant. Language proficiency is mixed up by the experience of two languages and for this reason may result in a main language, i.e., a strong first language (L1) or second language (L2).