Currently, scientific research on the influence of family and educational factors on learning a second language (L2) is limited. In comparison, the effects of L2 on intelligence and cognition have been more extensively studied. For this reason, the article presents a review of the existing empirical literature relating the above, extending the topic of bilingualism. A search using specific key words was done in four databases (PSICODOC, ISI Web of knowledge y SCOPUS), for the period between 1990 and 2012. Of 79 items found 34 met the inclusion criteria for the review. It also took into account two books, from each of which one chapter was revised according to the same criteria. Overall, the results showed significant theoretical and research data that relate the success of acquiring an L2 with intelligence and cognition, taking into account the influence of family and educational factors. In conclusion, more educational factors were identified than family factors, a finding that in the opinion of the author demonstrates the limited research that has been done on the influence of family factors in bilingualism until now.
