LINGUIST List 7.160

Thu Feb 1 1996

FYI: Research Studentship

Editor for this issue: Ljuba Veselinova <lveselinemunix.emich.edu>

Directory

1. Helen Dry, Research Studentship

RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP

Subject of Study:		Development of Joint Attention and Language
 in Cross-Cultural Context

Project Supervisors:		Dr Li Wei and Dr Thomas Klee
				Department of Speech
Telephone:			(0191) 222 6760 or 7452 or 7388
Fax:				(0191) 222 6518
Email:				li.weincl.ac.uk or thomas.kleencl.ac.uk

This project aims to investigate the development and structure of
joint attentional behaviours between primary caregivers and infants in
two culturally distinct populations living in Britain (English and
Chinese) over an 18-month period, and to investi

In addition to building up a new database of information, the project
will address the following research questions:

* Do Chinese mothers direct infants attention differently when
compared to their English counterparts?

* Is there a correlation of joint attention at each investigative
stage in each population to the final outcome of language acquisition
(especially early vocabulary acquisition, phonological development,
and code-switching)?

* Is there a difference between the two cultures in childrens early
receptive and expressive vocabularies?

* What influence does bilingualism and bi-culturalism have on the
British Chinese families child-rearing practices and their
childrens language development?

As this field of enquiry is relatively new, an early emphasis of the
research will be on developing methodologies for gathering and
analysing data. A total of 20 mother-infant dyads (n=10 in each group)
will be studied longitudinally for a period of 18

The Department of Speech is the oldest and largest of its kind in
Britain and has an established international reputation as a leader in
the research and education of speech & language therapy and related
areas including bilingualism and sociolinguisti

Applicants should have, or expect to obtain in 1995, a First Class or
Upper Second Class Honours degree in speech & language therapy,
linguistics, psychology or another appropriate subject. Research and
work experience in child language development in

Studentship Conditions

The Studentship, which is tenable for three years, is subject to the
following conditions which cannot be altered except by a formal letter
from the Office of the Registrar:

1. The Studentship consists of a maintenance grant of #6,500, which is
paid quarterly in advance, and which at present is free of UK Income
Tax and National Insurance. The Studentship carries remission of fees
at the lower (i.e. Home or Excepted

2. During the tenure of the Studentship a student may claim support
costs up to a maximum of #2,500 per annum. Such costs must be
approved in advance by the project supervisor. The student will be
allowed up to #500 during the tenure of the Stude

3. The Studentship is available for three years from 1 October 1996.
During that time the student is required to register as a full-time
student in the University and to be subject to the regulations and
statutes of the University in so far as they

4. Progress of the student is subject to an annual review and the
Studentship may be suspended or terminated if progress is deemed by
the University to be unsatisfactory. The review procedure is
bilateral and the University welcomes feedback from t

5. During the tenure of the Studentship a student may undertake
teaching and demonstrating duties in the University provided that the
total demand made on his or her time, including preparation time, does
not exceed six hours in any one week. 

Application

Application forms for the Studentship and admission to the University
as a postgraduate student are available from Dr Wei or Dr Klee, who
will be pleased to provide further information concerning the project,
or from Mr R A King, Assistant Registrar, U

Applications must be returned to The Admissions Officer, University of
Newcastle, 6 Kensington Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 7RU by 29
February 1996.