Directed by D. Kimbrough Oller, Ph.D., and co-directed by Linda Jarmulowicz, Ph.D., this laboratory conducts research on acquisition of language and literacy in bilingual children with specific focus on Spanish and English. The Spanish-speaking population is experiencing rapid growth in the Memphis area, resulting in many non-English speaking children entering school. The current line of research is funded by National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development and extends previous efforts by Oller. The focus is on the confluence of literacy and language skills that immigrant elementary school children must master. Phonological research is extensive within the laboratory, but vocabulary knowledge and a variety of other foundations for reading play a role in the research agenda. Both implicit phonological skills and explicit phonological awareness skills are measured and tracked in early elementary school. In addition, participating children are involved in a pre-literacy training program for 12 weeks during the school year. Dr. Buder also plays a significant role in the laboratory’s function.  This laboratory is located in the Speech and Hearing Annex.