Doctoral Dissertation Research: A Neurolinguistic Investigation of Second Language Acquisition: Effects of Explicit and Implicit Learning Environments

成年人有可能像母语人士一样学好第二语言吗？他们能同样学好词汇和语法吗？成人学习第二语言的方式与儿童学习语言的方式有何不同？成年人在不同的情况下，比如在教室里或在国外，学习第二语言会有不同吗？认知神经科学（即神经科学和认知心理学的结合）先前的研究表明，成年人学习第二语言的方式与儿童不同，但成年人可以通过充分的练习达到高水平的熟练程度。应用语言学家的研究已经证实，学习环境至少会影响成年人学习第二语言的速度。在美国国家科学基金会的支持下，迈克尔·乌尔曼博士和卡拉·摩根-肖特，M.A.T，将使用从这两个相关研究领域中提取的一些创新方法来进一步探索这些现象。该项目将研究成人学习第二语言时涉及哪些大脑系统，这些大脑系统是否与儿童使用的大脑系统相似或不同，以及它们是否受到显性或隐性学习情境（即直接教授或无意识地学习）的影响。该研究具有广泛的影响，包括对第二语言教学的启示。这项研究有望使政府、学术机构和私人机构受益，这些机构关注如何成功地训练成年人精通第二语言，这是当今国际社会政治形势下的一个至关重要的需求。该项目将在摩根-肖特女士的论文研究的背景下进行，并将为参与开展研究的学生提供跨学科的教育机会。

Is it possible for adults to learn a second language as well as a native speaker? Can they learn both vocabulary and grammar equally well? How does the way adults learn second languages differ from how children learn language? Do adults learn second languages differently in different situations, such as in a classroom or a foreign country? Previous research from cognitive neuroscience (that is, the integration of neuroscience and cognitive psychology) suggests that adults learn second language differently than children, but that adults may be capable of achieving high levels of proficiency with sufficient practice. Research by applied linguists has established that the learning situation can affect at least how quickly an adult is able to learn a second language.With support from the National Science Foundation, Dr. Michael Ullman and Kara Morgan-Short, M.A.T., will use some innovative methods drawing from these two related fields of research in order to further explore such phenomena. The project will examine which brain systems are involved when adults learn second languages, if these brain systems are similar to or different from the brain systems that children use, and if they are affected by explicit or implicit learning situations (that is, taught directly or picked up unconsciously). The research has broad impacts, including implications for second language teaching. The research is expected to benefit government, academic, and private institutions that are concerned with successfully training adults to become highly proficient in a second language, a vital need given today's international socio-political situation. This project will take place in the context of Ms. Morgan-Short's dissertation studies and will provide interdisciplinary educational opportunities for students who participate in conducting research.