CABVI

NIH/NIDCD-supported research

Both languages belong in the room.

CABVI uses technology to help bring Spanish and English vocabulary support into early learning, including settings where the clinician does not speak Spanish.

See how CABVI worksExplore the research

Computer-Assisted Bilingual Vocabulary Instruction

Dr. Rivera Pérez smiling during a conversation while holding a tablet

Designed around people.
Supported by technology.

Built for real learning communities

ChildrenFamiliesCliniciansEducators

The idea

Technology should widen access, not replace people.

CABVI combines bilingual audio prompting, interactive storybook reading, and word-focused activities. The goal is practical: help adults create more opportunities for children to learn and use vocabulary in both languages.

01

Both languages

Spanish is not treated as a bridge to discard. Children get opportunities to learn and respond in Spanish and English.

02

Adult-guided learning

Clinicians and educators stay at the center of instruction. CABVI adds bilingual support to the work they already do.

03

Practice with purpose

Stories, repeated exposure, child-friendly definitions, and active word use make vocabulary learning concrete.

How CABVI works

One shared experience. Three connected parts.

CABVI is used with an adult, not handed to a child as passive screen time.

  1. 1
    Listen

    Bilingual audio introduces target words and supports access to Spanish.

  2. 2
    Read together

    Interactive stories put new vocabulary into meaningful contexts.

  3. 3
    Practice and respond

    Word-focused activities invite children to recognize, name, and explain.

What the early research found

Promising results. Careful next steps.

In a preliminary study with 21 Spanish-speaking preschoolers, bilingual CABVI supported target Spanish vocabulary across receptive, naming, and definition tasks. Both CABVI groups showed comparable English gains, and gains in both languages were maintained at a six-week follow-up.

Read the peer-reviewed study

Study at a glance

21
Spanish-speaking preschoolers
37
target words
3
study conditions
6 weeks
follow-up period
Preliminary findings should be interpreted within the study design and sample.

The next chapter

Five years of CABVI research, supported by NIH/NIDCD.

A projected $2.72 million research project is expanding CABVI work with young children from preschool through first grade. The team is studying how bilingual technology can support vocabulary learning and help address the shortage of bilingual service providers.

The people behind the project

Research grows through community.

CABVI is led by Jean Franco Rivera Pérez, PhD, CCC-SLP, with Emily Lund, PhD, CCC-SLP, and a growing team of students, professionals, families, and school and community partners. Together, we are part of the BEAR Lab.

Follow the work as it takes shape

Research in plain language. Process in real time.