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Neural correlates of second-language word learning: minimal instruction produces rapid change

Nature Neuroscience volume 7, pages 703–704 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Adult second-language (L2) learning is often claimed to be slow and laborious compared to native language (L1) acquisition, but little is known about the rate of L2 word learning. Here we report that adult second-language learners' brain activity, as measured by event-related potentials (ERPs), discriminated between L2 words and L2 'pseudowords' (word-like letter strings) after just 14 h of classroom instruction. This occurred even while the learners performed at chance levels when making overt L2 word-nonword judgments, indicating that the early acquisition of some aspects of a new language may be overlooked by current behavioral assessments.

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Figure 1: Event-related potentials to target stimuli.
Figure 2: Session 1 N400 amplitude word/pseudoword differences and d′ scores regressed onto hours of instruction before session 1.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders grants R01DC01947, P30DC04661 and F32DC005756.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Guthrie Hall, Box 351525, Seattle, 98195-1525, Washington, USA

    Judith McLaughlin, Lee Osterhout & Albert Kim

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  1. Judith McLaughlin
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  2. Lee Osterhout
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  3. Albert Kim
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Correspondence to Judith McLaughlin.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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McLaughlin, J., Osterhout, L. & Kim, A. Neural correlates of second-language word learning: minimal instruction produces rapid change. Nat Neurosci 7, 703–704 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nn1264

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