The role of cognitive factors in context: Behavioral and neurocognitive investigations of second language acquisition

This talk will present results from two recent event-related potential (ERP) studies that examine individual differences in second language (L2) processing and that explore whether individual differences in cognition are related to L2 processing and whether this relationship varies under different contexts of learning. The first study replicates emerging research that finds relationships between L2 experience, proficiency and performance and individual differences in L2 processing as revealed by ERPs. This study finds that L2 experience is related to the magnitude of individuals’ ERP response whereas proficiency is related to the type of ERP response that an individual exhibits. The second study extends individual difference work with ERPs to explore relationships between declarative and procedural memory and L2 processing. Results show a negative relationship between declarative memory and L2 processing changes over time in a group of learners that studied Spanish at a U.S. home university but not in a group of learners that studied Spanish abroad. No relationships between procedural memory and L2 processing changes were evidenced, even though positive relationships were found with behavioral data. These results will be discussed in regard to the interplay of individual differences and contexts of learning in L2 development and processing, as well as in regard to methodological challenges of conducting individual difference research.

http://lcsl.uic.edu/hispanic-italian/faculty-instructors/hispanic-linguistics/kara-morgan-short