The Surprising Role Of Writing In Second Language Acquisition

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The Surprising Role Of Writing In Second Language Acquisition

Fri, 09 Mar 2018 13:15:07 +0000Geralde Vincent-BancroftThe way you take notes influence how fast you learn.

In a study published in the psychological Science Journal, Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer, researchers from Princeton and the University of California devised an experiment to answer this assumption.

They tested the effect …


The way you take notes influence how fast you learn.

In a study published in the psychological Science Journal, Pam Mueller and Daniel Oppenheimer, researchers from Princeton and the University of California devised an experiment to answer this assumption.

They tested the effect handwriting or typing notes had on students’ learning abilities. A group of students were asked to listen to the same lectures and to use their usual note-taking system. Some of them took notes using pen and paper, and some others by typing on their I pad or laptops.

They wanted to observe the students’ ability to recall facts and concepts, and assess their deeper understanding of the topic.

They found out that both groups memorised the same number of facts, but the handwriting group performed much better when they were tested on ideas.

It seems that taking handwritten notes leads to a higher quality of learning because handwriting strengthen the learning process, ” It leaves a motor memory in the sensory motor of the brain” which helps the person recognise letters, and establish a connection between reading and writing. Handwriting boosts memory and the ability to understand concepts and facts; hence the importance of writing words and phrases when learning a foreign language.

Through writing the human brain forms memory codes which allow the information to be accessed by the brain more easily.

What would be the practical implications of these findings?

Writing in your second language would help you learn faster because it would boost your retention.

Having a journal in your target language would compel you to write consistently, and it would keep you organised at the same time.

How should you structure your journal?

First, it should help you plan your language study and keep you organised. have a section to help you do just that. Write down your monthly goals and your goals for the week, specifying what you intend to study each day and the amount of time you’re prepared to invest in each activity. When you have a clear plan it is easier to stick to it.

In section 2 write down the new vocabulary that you’ve encountered as well as unknown phrases that you can come back to, to investigate their meaning. Write example sentences for each new word and put the phrases into context.

Section 3 will be for the thematic vocabulary. It is easier to learn when the vocabulary you’re studying belongs to a theme, for example: “At a restaurant”. Write down all the vocabulary associated with situations and objects you might find at a restaurant. it would be highly beneficial if you can add example sentences.

Some people make a mindmap in this section. it helps with memorisation of concepts because it is a visual reminder.

In section 4 write new language aspects. These would be new patterns and structures that you’d like to understand and research.

Section 5 should be for your diary. It is a useful way to ensure you write on a daily basis and practice the new vocabulary you’ve come across during your study. It allows you to translate words and expressions you often use in your mother tongue to your second language , thus increasing your vocabulary list not only in numbers but in quality.

In section 6 you should register useful materials, books and helpful online sites you can revisit when needed.

Click Here if you wish to DOWNLOAD your ” My Language Journal ” to get started.

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