Neurological and Cognitive Factors Shaping Second Language Acquisition: A Systematic Review
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| Title: | Neurological and Cognitive Factors Shaping Second Language Acquisition: A Systematic Review |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Rania Mjahad (ORCID |
| Source: | Language Teaching Research Quarterly. 2026 54:25-55. |
| Availability: | European Knowledge Development (EUROKD). e-mail: editorial@eurokd.com; Web site: https://www.eurokd.com/journal/jd/1 |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 31 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Information Analyses |
| Descriptors: | Second Language Learning, Cognitive Ability, Memory, Brain Hemisphere Functions, Executive Function, Neurological Organization, Language Fluency, Adults, Psycholinguistics, Bilingualism, Cognitive Processes |
| ISSN: | 2667-6753 |
| Abstract: | The process of second language acquisition (SLA) is subject to various neurological and cognitive factors, including the age of the learner, brain plasticity, memory, and executive function. The flexibility of the neural networks that characterizes young learners allows them to acquire a native-like fluency, while adult learners attain a reasonable level of L2 proficiency if particular cognitive strategies are deployed. The current review scrutinizes adults' SLA from the perspective of psycholinguistics, bilingualism, and cognitive neuroscience. A qualitative investigation was carried out to reveal SLA related themes discussed by academic articles in PubMed, WoS, and Scopus between 2001 and 2024. The study incorporated aspects such as the learner's memory function, adaptation to phonology, age, stimulus, intelligence, cognitive processing, and L2 anxiety. This review demonstrates that the differences in neural stimulation and bilingual brain processes influence SLA. The evidence illustrates that young learners are more naturally and cognitively equipped to acquire the L2 effectively, but Adult learners can enhance their acquisition of L2 by adopting certain cognitive strategies. Understanding the cognitive and neural factors that influence SLA aids in improving proficiency. The conclusions are meant to positively impact multilingual education, shaping the teaching process, policy making, and SLA academic research. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 20260101 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1517667 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | The process of second language acquisition (SLA) is subject to various neurological and cognitive factors, including the age of the learner, brain plasticity, memory, and executive function. The flexibility of the neural networks that characterizes young learners allows them to acquire a native-like fluency, while adult learners attain a reasonable level of L2 proficiency if particular cognitive strategies are deployed. The current review scrutinizes adults' SLA from the perspective of psycholinguistics, bilingualism, and cognitive neuroscience. A qualitative investigation was carried out to reveal SLA related themes discussed by academic articles in PubMed, WoS, and Scopus between 2001 and 2024. The study incorporated aspects such as the learner's memory function, adaptation to phonology, age, stimulus, intelligence, cognitive processing, and L2 anxiety. This review demonstrates that the differences in neural stimulation and bilingual brain processes influence SLA. The evidence illustrates that young learners are more naturally and cognitively equipped to acquire the L2 effectively, but Adult learners can enhance their acquisition of L2 by adopting certain cognitive strategies. Understanding the cognitive and neural factors that influence SLA aids in improving proficiency. The conclusions are meant to positively impact multilingual education, shaping the teaching process, policy making, and SLA academic research. |
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| ISSN: | 2667-6753 |
