Bilingualism and the development of metacognitive abilities -Metacognitive awareness as an analytical approach-

Abstract

The effects of bilingualism extend beyond the linguistic-communicative aspect to include broader cognitive and metacognitive aspects. Although contemporary studies tend to emphasise the cognitive advantages enjoyed by bilinguals and to assert that bilingualism is a stimulating environment for the development of cognitive abilities, these advantages may depend on the nature of the bilingualism and the individual's level of linguistic competence. From this perspective, this research is concerned with revealing the effect of bilingualism on metacognitive abilities, with a focus on metalinguistic awareness. Possessing two different language systems enables individuals to consciously control language and reflect on its characteristics, including analysing the structure of words and sentences and using language flexibly in different contexts, which is the essence of metalinguistic awareness. However, the extent to which bilinguals benefit from these metacognitive advantages depends on the nature of the bilingual influence. Therefore, this article will address the question of the extent to which metalinguistic awareness is affected by different patterns of bilingualism. Through this research, we have concluded that the influence of bilingualism on metacognitive abilities, particularly metacognitive awareness, is neither general nor constant, but rather depends on the pattern of bilingualism and the nature of its influence, which ranges from positive to negative.

Keywords: cognitive development, metacognition, metalinguistic awareness, bilingualism, linguistic competence.

Received Date: August 21, 2025              

Accepted Date: September 13, 2025            

Published Date: October 01, 2025

Available Online at https://www.ijsrisjournal.com/index.php/ojsfiles/article/view/444