scholarly journals A brain-based model of language instruction: from theory to practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-17
Author(s):  
Farzaneh Iranmanesh ◽  
Mehry Haddad Narafshan ◽  
Mohammad Golshan
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Second Language Instruction ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
Functional Areas ◽  
The Brain

Background: A recent trend in second language acquisition and learning has been oriented towards brain-based studies and its association with brain development and plasticity. There are currently unprecedented opportunities for contemporary understanding of the neurological basis of second language (L2) learning owing to recent advances in cognitive neuroscience. Brain functional and structural investigations have contributed remarkably to biological explanations of language acquisition in addition to behavioral explorations. Methods: This study used a meta-analysis of previous findings of functional neuroimaging studies to elucidate the neuroanatomy of language learning from a functional perspective. By synthesizing existing literature, brain activation areas associated with different language learning skills and their convergence and overlap with other areas of activation for other cognitive and motor skills are extracted to reveal consistent functional areas of the brain. The current study attempts to link psycholinguistic research and cognitive neuroscience in the mediation of L2 learning and teaching. This review paper begins with a theoretical view of brain structure and function and concludes with a practical model of brain-based language instruction, resulting in a deeper understanding of the field. Results: Organized, conjoining cognitive neuroscience findings and L2 acquisition and learning approaches provide an opportunity for collaboration in cross-disciplinary studies. They provide new insights into how our brain represents languages. This article reviews recent advancements in our understanding of the brain; structural and functional organization of the brain; the role the brain plays in emotion, cognition, and development; and its consequent implication in language instruction. In effect, taking neurocognitive findings into account may have potential in developing brain-based tasks for the benefit of second language instruction in educational settings. Based on the revealed structural and functional areas of the brain and their networks of connection and interaction, manipulating areas of demanded activity may be as efficient as doing physical exercise to strengthen muscles. Conclusion: Developing a systematic model of second language instruction compatible with brain functions and patterns can benefit the rate and proficiency of language learners, thus improving language teaching and learning outcomes. This paper will aid the quest for utilizing general information of brain functions and related methods in developing practical, efficient language instruction as well as enhancing interdisciplinary research studies in both language and cognitive neuroscience.

scholarly journals Paths to Learning Second Languages in Finland

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-147
Author(s):  
Adél Furu
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Second Language Instruction ◽  
Second Languages ◽  
Learning And Teaching

This article is concerned with comparative approaches to second language instruction and second language choices in Finland and describes the challenge of preserving Finland’s language and culture while facing the globalization process. The article discusses the success of Finnish second language learning and aims to investigate how Finnish and English as second languages are taught and learnt in Finland compared to other countries as well. The goal of this study is to discuss issues related to teacher training and its role in second- or even third language acquisition. We articulate the following research questions: How does the English-language teaching line serve the international families? How does Finland develop successful teaching practices and what problems of implementation does it face? What are the challenges of teaching the pupils’ mother tongue and a second language (L2) (Finnish, Swedish, English, Russian etc.) at different levels of education? What are the differences between acquiring a Finnish or an international degree concerning adult education? The methodology chosen for this article is a comparative study and it is used to showcase the differences between the Finnish and English second language instruction in Finland. In regard to the theoretical framework to second or foreign language acquisition, learning and teaching, I embrace linguistic, cognitive and sociocultural frameworks and approaches

scholarly journals SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND THE CRITICAL PERIOD

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1769-1771
Author(s):  
Hristina Miteva Tanaskoska
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Critical Period ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
First Language ◽  
Older Learners ◽  
New Community ◽  
The Brain

Is there a critical period for second language acquisition? When should one begin learning a second language? These are questions that have always been present and they stiil have not become any less controversial or complex. There is not any specific age that could be determined or proclaimed to be the most appropriate. A lot of things must be taken into consideration with spesific emphasis on the goals of the learner. Whether reaching a native -like accent and proficency is the ultimate aim or obtaining a certain level that will enable an everyday communication? Since a great number of experiments and research have shown that both younger and older students can achieve high levels in their second language, a fair atribute and attention should be paid to both theories respectfully.It has been hypothesized that there is a critical period for second language acquisition as well as for first language acquisition. According to this theory there is a time in human development when the brain is predisposed for success in language learning. It is belived that some developmental changes in the brain affect the nature of language acquisition. Therefore, any language learning that occurs after the end of the critical period may not be based on innate biological structures belived to contribute to first language acquisition or second language acquisition in early childhood. The general learning abilites that the older learners depend on, are claimed to be less efective than the innate capacities available to young children. Most studies of the relationship between age of acquisition and second language development have focused on learners’pronounciation. It is frequently observed that most children from immigrant families eventually speak the language of their new community with native –like fluency and accent, while their parents quite often fall behind in this mastery even long after they had been living and working in the new community. Nevertheless, some researches argue that older learners may have one advantage: they appear to be able to learn faster in the early stages of second language learning. Age is one of the characteristics that determine the way in which an individual approaches second language learning. But the opportunities for learning (inside the classroom and outside), the motivation to learn , and individual differences in aptitude for language learning are also important determining factors that affect both rate of learning and eventual susscess in learning. It must be acknowledged that achieving native-like mastery of the second language is neither a realistic nor a neccessarilya desired goal for many second language learners in many educational contexts.

A Systematic Review of Video Games for Second Language Acquisition

2022 ◽  
pp. 1345-1371
Author(s):  
Juan Li
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Second Language Education ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Systematic Understanding

This study overviews contemporary studies on the use of video games for second language acquisition within the past ten years spanning the development of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and its connections to SLA, definitions of video games, empirical studies on the facilitative roles played by video games for second language (L2) learning and utilizing massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) for language learning. The purpose of this chapter is to help the readers obtain a systematic understanding of the development and application of video games in second language education. Findings of this study suggests that players are able to acquire L2 knowledge while playing video games. It also suggests that future research should focus more on the actual integration of video games into language instruction.

scholarly journals First Language Bidialectism and Associative Learning in Second Language Acquisition

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weifeng Han
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Associative Learning ◽  
First Language ◽  
Grammatical Structure ◽  
L2 Acquisition ◽  
Syntactic Awareness ◽  
L2 Learning

<em>The faculty of grammar has long been known to be critical to language acquisition, but recent studies have called into question whether innate capacities included only knowledge of grammatical structure. This paper reports research on language-learning impaired children’s language acquisition and first language (L1) bidialectal children learning a second language. It proposes that learners will benefit from their L1 bidialectal knowledge in second language (L2) learning, since L1 bidialectals exhibit better syntactic awareness of L2 specific structures. It further argues that mechanism of association, rather than rule computation, plays a more important role in L2 acquisition.</em>

Second language learning success revealed by brain networks

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 657-664 ◽  
Author(s):  
PING LI ◽  
ANGELA GRANT
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Cognitive Neuroscience ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Effective Connectivity ◽  
Brain Networks ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Learning Success ◽  
The Brain

A recent movement in cognitive neuroscience is the study of brain networks through functional and effective connectivity. The brain networks approach has already found its influences in the study of the neurobiology of language, but has yet to impact research in the neurocognition of bilingualism and second language. In this article, we briefly review some preliminary evidence in this emerging field and suggest that the understanding of the dynamic changes in brain networks enables us to capture second language learning success, thereby providing new insights into the neural bases of individual differences, neuroplasticity, and bilingualism.

scholarly journals STRATEGI BRAIN BASED LEARNING DALAM PENGAJARAN BAHASA JEPANG DI MAN MOJOKERTO

Paramasastra ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulia Pratitis Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Japanese Language ◽  
Brain Functions ◽  
Lecture Method ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Brain Based Learning ◽  
The Brain

Japanese language teaching by lecture method used is irrelevant. It can be seen from the output of students who graduate high school, they generally have not been able to use the Japanese language in the context of natural communication. Japanese language learning should be done in harmony with the way the brain to learn something. It was due to the close links between the brain and language acquisition. Caine said there are twelve principles of brain work is the basis for the implementation of brain-based teaching. The twelve principles of brain functions must be implemented in three stages, namely the stage of teaching Japanese language to understand 「わかる」, remembering 「おぼえる」and use 「つかう」. With Brain Based Learning troughout the student’s potential can be optimally stimulated to learn Japanese. And when the twelve principles of brain functions in learning something can be understood by Japanese teachers well, then learning Japanese would be effective, enjoyable, meaningful and the most importantly, both Brain’s hemispheres students can alsao develop optimally.

Contrastive Analysis, Error Analysis, Markedness Theory, Universal Grammar and Monitor Theory and their Contributions to Second Language Learning

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Mohamed Fathy Khalifa
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Error Analysis ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Natural Order ◽  
Contrastive Analysis ◽  
L2 Acquisition ◽  
L2 Learning

Theories of second language acquisition (SLA) play an important role in second language (L2) learning. These theories can help both language teachers and their students to understand L2 language learning process. There are various theories and approaches of SLA which try to explain how L2 learning takes place. Each theory accounts for L2 acquisition from a different perspective. This paper describes and compares five theories of L2 acquisition: Contrastive Analysis (CA), Error Analysis (EA), Markedness Theory, Universal Grammar (UG) and Monitor Theory, explains their contributions to L2 learning and shows the criticism of each theory. First, in Contrastive Analysis, the weak and strong hypotheses and types of language transfer are explained. Second, in Error Analysis, attitudes towards errors and aims, process and models of Error Analysis are described. Third, in Markedness Theory, the role of typological markedness in the explanation of L2 learning, the Markedness Differential Hypothesis (MDH) and the Structural Conformity Hypothesis (SCH) are explained. Fourth, in Universal Grammar, it is shown that L2 acquisition occurs on the basis of first language (L1) acquisition: L2 acquisition is a matter of setting the correct L2 parameters. The Language Acquisition Device (LAD) and L2 access to UG are explained. Finally, in Monitor Theory, it is suggested that comprehensible input is crucial for L2 acquisition and the five hypotheses of the theory are explained: (a) The Input Hypothesis, (b) The Learning-Acquisition Hypothesis, (c) The Monitor Hypothesis, (d) The Natural Order Hypothesis and (e) The Affective Filter Hypothesis. 

A Systematic Review of Video Games for Second Language Acquisition

2020 ◽  
pp. 472-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Li
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Second Language Education ◽  
Role Playing Games ◽  
Systematic Understanding

This study overviews contemporary studies on the use of video games for second language acquisition within the past ten years spanning the development of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and its connections to SLA, definitions of video games, empirical studies on the facilitative roles played by video games for second language (L2) learning and utilizing massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) for language learning. The purpose of this chapter is to help the readers obtain a systematic understanding of the development and application of video games in second language education. Findings of this study suggests that players are able to acquire L2 knowledge while playing video games. It also suggests that future research should focus more on the actual integration of video games into language instruction.

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