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Lesson 3: L2 Acquisition through Cognitive Stimulation

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Humans are mentally capable of mastering not only the acquisition of their first language but also the acquisition of a second language with all its facets (cf. Bickes and Pauli 2009: 96).

Key Concepts

  • Cognitive Stimulation

  • Language Input

  • Language Output

  • Multimodal L2 Learning

Deciphering Language Input and Output

 

Language Input is the foundation of language acquisition. It includes everything you absorb through reading, listening, and observing in your target language. This input fuels your language learning journey, and it's as essential as exploring a bustling marketplace in a foreign country, where vibrant conversations, signs, and flavors immerse you in the language. Similarly, when you read a gripping mystery novel in a foreign language, watch an action-packed movie without subtitles, or tune in to an exciting sports commentary in the target language, you're actively absorbing language input.

 

Language Output is where you put your language knowledge into action. It involves expressing what you've learned through speaking and writing in the target language. It's about metabolizing and expressing the language you've acquired. For example, having a conversation with an L1 speaker in the target language, writing a diary entry, or giving a presentation in that language are all forms of language output.

 

Cognitive Connection: Your cognitive abilities are the engines propelling your language growth. While these abilities may vary among individuals due to factors such as age and education, they are highly adaptable. Consider cognitive stimulation as a workout for your brain, akin to how physical exercise strengthens your body. Engaging in cognitive stimulation activities challenges and actively engages your cognitive abilities, fostering the development of your language competence.

 

Cognitive Stimulation Activities: These activities encompass various exercises designed to boost your cognitive faculties while enhancing language proficiency. Picture yourself solving intricate language puzzles, participating in interactive language games that require quick thinking, or delving into brain teasers meticulously crafted for language learners. Just as regular workouts strengthen your muscles, these exercises strengthen your language skills by actively engaging your cognitive abilities.

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The Interactive Progress: Language input and output, combined with cognitive stimulation, create an interactive journey towards language competence. The dynamic interplay between these elements ensures that you not only passively absorb the language but actively engage with it. This engagement challenges your cognitive faculties, igniting a transformative and multi-sensory language journey.

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Discuss in pairs:

Take a moment to discuss your experiences based on the lesson's key concepts:

  1. Share a memorable language input experience.

  2. Reflect on a moment when you actively used your target language (language output).

  3. Discuss any cognitive stimulation activities you've found helpful.

Exploring the World of Multimodal Learning: Unleashing Language Skills in the Digital Era

In the fast-paced digital world, learning a language is no longer confined to textbooks and classrooms, right? Multimodal learning, a dynamic approach to language acquisition, harnesses different sensory channels to enhance your learning journey. By engaging your senses of sight, sound, and interaction, you dive into an enriching language-learning experience.

 

How does multimodal learning work? Imagine watching a movie in a foreign language with subtitles, where your eyes and ears work in tandem (visual and auditory learning). Or, think about participating in interactive online language courses that blend visuals, sounds, and hands-on exercises. Ever tried a virtual reality language simulation? These methods don't just teach you a language; they lead you into an immersive, multi-sensory world, making learning more effective and enjoyable.

 

The beauty of language learning lies in the interplay between input (what you see and hear), output (what you speak and write), cognitive engagement (how you process and think in the language), and the multimodal approach. This combination ensures a deep, interactive, and multi-sensory engagement with the language, stretching your cognitive abilities and offering a comprehensive language experience.

 

Our digital lives are inherently multimodal. Consider platforms like Twitch, where chat messages, videos, and audio coexist, or WhatsApp, which offers text, video, and voice messages. These platforms exemplify how multimodality is woven into our daily communications. But how does this relate to language learning? Well, just remember that this stimulating process as it is already enriching in your L1, might be even more beneficial in an L2. Platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Instagram can be goldmines for learning languages. Regularly watching French-speaking streamers, for instance, can significantly improve your understanding of French. Similarly, streaming services like Netflix allow you to choose audio in different languages, offering a practical way to enhance your language skills. In addition, services like Babbel present language learning in bite-sized, engaging formats, often using images or sounds to reinforce learning.

Exercise

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Objective: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of multimodal learning in the digital era.

 

Instructions:

Form groups of 3–4 students each.

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Advantages and Disadvantages (10 minutes):

Within your groups, spend 5 minutes brainstorming and listing advantages of multimodal learning.

Follow with 5 minutes of brainstorming potential disadvantages or challenges.

Be concise and focus on key points.

 

Group Discussion (5 minutes):

  • Gather as a class for a brief discussion.

  • Share one advantage and one disadvantage from your group's list.

  • Discuss which factors are most important to consider.

Final thought for this lesson

 

In our digital era, there's a wealth of opportunities to learn a second language. Platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Netflix, and more offer abundant language input. Success depends on your commitment, self-initiative, and motivation. Dive in, explore, and discover your path to language proficiency. More on this will be explored in Lesson 4, where we delve deeper into language motivation and goal-setting.

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Bibliography

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Burkhardt M. (2023) : Wie bleibt das Gelernte im Kopf? Deutsch perfekt, 6, 31-32.

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Bickes, H., & Pauli, U. (2009). Erst und Zweitspracherwerb. Paderborn: Fink.

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Cook, V., & Singleton, D. M. (2014). Key topics in second language acquisition. Multilingual Matters.

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Wildfeuer, J., Bateman, J., & Hiippala, T. (2020). Multimodalität: Grundlagen, Forschung und Analyse–Eine problemorientierte Einführung. De Gruyter.

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