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The Neuroscience of Language Learning

Academic English

Vocabulary

unexceptionable formidable standard outstanding extraordinary ordinary mediocre common

1. Found often or happening frequently; not rare or special.2. The usual or expected level of quality. 3. Causing fear or respect because of great strength, skill, or difficulty. 4. Extremely good and clearly better than others. 5. Normal or common; not special or different. 6. Very unusual or remarkable in a surprising or impressive way. 7. Only average; not very good or impressive. 8. Something that is completely acceptable, with nothing wrong or questionable about it.

Answer and Discuss

1. Talk about a person you know who has a multilingual brain. What impresses you about them?
2. What do you like to do to practice your languages on an ordinary day?
3. Talk about a language-learning experience that was mediocre. What could have made it better?
4. Which country or culture have you visited where speaking more than one language was outstandingly useful?
5. Do you know any formidable polyglots or language learners? What makes them stand out?
6. What does a standard language study session look like for you?
7. Have you ever felt unexceptionable at learning or using a language in a specific situation?
8. What are the most common ways people try to improve their language learning skills or brain function?

Make Sentences

unexceptionable formidable standard outstanding extraordinary ordinary mediocre common

1. Unexceptional -2. Formidable - 3. Standard - 4. Outstanding - 5. Extraordinary - 6. Ordinary - 7. Mediocre - 8. Common -

Speculation

must

can't

certainly

certainly not

could

might

possible

possible

Discuss (Do you agree?)

1. Multilingual people must have stronger memory skills — they switch between languages often.
2. It can’t be easy to think in three languages at once — their brains must be incredibly flexible.
3. They might be better at multitasking because their brains are trained to manage different language systems.
4. It could be that multilingual brains process information more efficiently than monolingual ones.
5. More people are becoming multilingual now than 20 years ago — it must be due to globalization.

Watch the Video

Watch until 1m 24s

Answer the Questions

Answer the Questions

Answer the Questions

Answer the Questions

Bilingual Brain: Fill in the blanks

Memory Game

What do you remember?