Where did language come from? Nobody really knows, but the theories are fascinating

Humans are the only species known to use fully symbolic language: a system capable of expressing abstract ideas, imaginary ...
The Conversation

Learning a new language? Your mindset matters more than ‘having a knack’

If you stumble when you need to talk to someone in a language that isn’t your native language, do you think: “I just don’t have the knack for languages” or “Maybe I am not cut out to learn another ...
Inverse

Adult language learning literally reroutes brain networks

While kids can pick up new languages at a rapid clip, we adults often struggle to remember the word for fork three months into French class. Historically, this age-related mismatch in language ...
Psychology Today

How Clarifying Theory and Pedagogy Can Improve Learning

In education, as in psychology, clarity matters. Yet in everyday conversations about teaching and learning, terms like learning theory and pedagogy are often used interchangeably. Phrases such as “We ...
The Digital Universe

Foreign language learning leads to cognitive benefits in students, experts say

Foreign Language Student Residence participants eat together at their daily required dinner. The Foreign Language Student Residence program is one method for BYU students to work on their language ...
Psychology Today

Rethinking Learning Theory—the Value of LLMs

Effective learning isn't just about finding the easiest path—it's about the right kind of challenge. Two prominent theories—Desirable Difficulties (DDF) and Cognitive Load Theory (CLT)—offer valuable ...
The Conversation

UK students are abandoning language learning, so we’re looking for a more creative approach

There is a storm brewing for modern language education in the UK. The uptake in higher education has more than halved in the past 15 years. And in the same period, ten modern language university ...