How does bilingual experience shape language representation in children’s brains?
An fMRI language mapping study.
Why study language mapping in bilingual children?
Many children grow up using more than one language in their daily lives. Research suggests that bilingual children may use language-related brain regions differently from children who speak only one language. These differences may depend on factors such as when the second language was learned, how often each language is used, and the child’s proficiency in both languages.
To study how language is represented in the brain, researchers can use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). During an fMRI scan, participants complete simple language activities, such as listening to speech or saying words, while lying in the scanner. This allows us to identify the brain regions involved in language.
In clinical practice, fMRI language mapping is often used before brain surgery to help protect important language functions. However, we still know relatively little about how bilingual experience influences language organisation in children’s brain. This is particularly important because many children who may require neurosurgery are bilingual.
Our study aims to improve understanding of how bilingualism shapes language representation in typically developing children. The findings will help us develop and validate child-friendly language mapping tools that can be used in future clinical settings.
About the study
We are inviting bilingual children, adolescents, and young adults to take part in a research study involving:
- An MRI brain scan while completing simple language activities
- Brief language and cognitive assessments
- Questionnaires about language background and everyday language use
Participation will help us better understand bilingual language development and improve language mapping techniques for children who may need brain surgery in the future.
We provide age-appropriate information sheets and study materials. On the day of the visit, researchers will ensure that children understand what they are being asked to do and will answer any questions they may have.
Who can take part?
Participants must:
- Be aged 5-18 years, or a young adult aged up to 25 years
- Speak English and one other language regularly at home, school, or elsewhere
- For now, we are looking for young people who speak English and
- Arabic or
- Polish or
- Ukrainian
- Attend mainstream education (for children and adolescents)
- Be able to safely undergo an MRI scan
Participants must not have:
- A neurological or psychiatric condition
- A history of significant head injury or trauma
- A known genetic or metabolic disorder affecting brain development
- Metal implants or devices that are not MRI-compatible
- Claustrophobia
- Current use of medication that may affect brain function
- Any other medical condition that could interfere with MRI results or participant safety
We will carefully screen all participants before enrolment.
Who cannot take part?
Unfortunately, participants will not be eligible if they:
- Are younger than 5 years old, or older than 25 years old
- Do not regularly use a second language other than English
- Have a medical condition that makes MRI unsafe or unsuitable
Frequently Asked Questions
The study takes place at University College London (UCL) and the Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health in London.
Participants will undergo an MRI brain scan. They will also complete language and puzzle-like activities, and we will ask parents or guardians to complete questionnaires about their child’s language experience.
The visit will last approximately two hours, with plenty of breaks.
We are currently only running this study in the UK.
A detailed participant information sheet is available here:
Yes. We will reimburse travel expenses with a gift voucher. Participants can also receive a picture of their brain scan if they wish.
This project has been reviewed and approved by an independent Research Ethics Committee (University College London REC – 2026-3016).
If you have any questions about the study, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the research team, we are always happy to answer any questions you may have! Our contact details can be found in the “Contact us” section of our webpage.
There are no risks associated with the MRI scan or any other tasks in the study. We will explain the procedure carefully and support participants throughout the visit.
Yes, we will follow ethical and legal practice guidelines and all information that is collected about you and your child will be handled in confidence. Neither you nor your child can be identified through the study results, as we use a unique code to identify study participants.
The results of this research will be published on the website, will be described to other doctors and researchers at scientific meetings, and will be published in scientific journals. They will also be part of student dissertations.
The lead researcher and main point of contact for this study is Dr Frédérique Liégeois. She is working with Dr Kiran Seunarine (researcher at UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust).
Contact Us
If you are interested in taking part, contact Nastasja Ostojic: nastasja.ostojic.25@ucl.ac.uk
