Post created by Graduate Assistant Kimberly Braet
Have you ever been interested in learning a new language? Language acquisition and learning processes have been studied and debated by numerous learning and behavioral theorists over the decades, such as B.F. Skinner and Noam Chomsky. Particularly, scholars in the field are interested in the ways our brains create neural maps for language acquisition early in life, and they argue that there is a prime developmental window in which humans are most efficient and capable of fully acquiring second languages (Kuhl, 2000).
Despite the argument for a prime developmental window for second language acquisition in childhood and adolescence, many adults go on to successfully acquire fluency in other languages. Theorists within the field of learning and language acquisition argue that second language learning in adulthood is particularly challenging because our brains have to create new neural maps to accommodate the phonology, phonetics, semantics, morphology, and syntax of a second language (Robertson & Ford, 2009). However, with enough practice, exposure, and dedication to learning, many individuals can successfully integrate foreign languages into their repertoire. To learn more about this second language acquisition process, discover Robertson and Ford’s overview of language learning here.
Those interested in foreign cultures, languages, and language learning processes will be pleased to know that December is National Learn a Foreign Language Month. The Lehman Library celebrates this month as a time to deepen exploration of global cultures and the languages they speak.
Interested in Education and Career Pathways in Foreign Language Studies?
Shippensburg University’s Department of Global Languages & Cultures offers courses in German, French, and Spanish. Students can choose from a variety of language and global culture-focused programs to fit their career exploration needs. According to the department’s webpage, adding foreign studies to your education can apply to the following careers that utilize language and cultural skills:
The university’s department offers courses for undergraduate degrees, as well as graduate degrees and certificates. Undergraduate programs include:
Graduate degrees and certificates include:
Interested in Library Resources?
In addition to the university’s Global Languages and Cultures Department, the Lehman Library has a variety of physical and e-resources to help you on your foreign language learning journey. Relevant language learning books will be on display in the library during the month of December, and our research librarians are also available at the research help desk Monday to Friday to help interested patrons find additional e-resources and physical language learning texts.
Interested in Foreign Film?
Did you know? Watching films in another language can aid in one’s foreign language learning, particularly when the viewer is actively engaged in watching the film (Birulés-Muntané & Soto-Faraco, 2016). According to Birulés-Muntané and Soto-Faraco, learning can be further enhanced by pairing viewership with the corresponding subtitles, as listening to a foreign language while visually reading in that same foreign language can enhance second language acquisition. In addition to language learning texts, the Lehman Library has a wide collection of foreign language DVD’s available for patrons to check out. The library has assembled a collection of popular foreign films to assist in your language learning journey.
References
Birulés-Muntané, J., & Soto-Faraco, S. (2016). Watching subtitled films can help learning
foreign languages. PLoS ONE, 11(6), 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0158409
Kuhl, P. K. (2000). A new view of language acquisition. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, 97(22), 11850–11857. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.97.22.11850
Robertson, K., & Ford, K. (2009). Language acquisition: An overview. Colorín colorado.
https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/language-acquisition-overview
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