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The Educational Consequences of Language Proficiency for Young Children

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  • Yao, Yuxin

    (Tilburg University)

  • Ohinata, Asako

    (University of Leicester)

  • van Ours, Jan C.

    (Erasmus School of Economics)

Abstract

This paper studies the educational consequences of language proficiency by investigating the relationship between dialect-speaking and academic performance of 5-6 year old children in the Netherlands. We find that dialect-speaking has a modestly negative effect on boys' language test scores. In addition, we study whether there are spillover effects of peers' dialect-speaking on test scores. We find no evidence for spillover effect of peers' dialect-speaking. The test scores of neither Dutch-speaking children nor dialect-speaking children are affected by the share of dialect-speaking peers in the classroom.

Suggested Citation

  • Yao, Yuxin & Ohinata, Asako & van Ours, Jan C., 2016. "The Educational Consequences of Language Proficiency for Young Children," IZA Discussion Papers 9800, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp9800
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    Cited by:

    1. Yao, Yuxin, 2017. "Essays on economics of language and family economics," Other publications TiSEM 0093bc8e-e869-4f87-8ff8-8, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    2. Joao Firmino & Luis Catela Nunes & Ana Balcao Reis & Carmo Seabra, 2018. "Class composition and student achievement: evidence from Portugal," Nova SBE Working Paper Series wp624, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Nova School of Business and Economics.
    3. Jan C. van Ours & Yuxin Yao, 2016. "The Wage Penalty of Dialect-Speaking," Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers 16-091/V, Tinbergen Institute.
    4. João Firmino, 2018. "Class composition effects and school welfare: evidence from Portugal using panel data," Working Papers 2018/14, Institut d'Economia de Barcelona (IEB).
    5. van Ours, Jan C. & Yao, Yuxin, 2016. "The Wage Penalty of Dialect-Speaking," CEPR Discussion Papers 11610, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    spillover effects; test scores; dialect-speaking; language; academic performance;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • I2 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education

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