Science of Learning and Foreign Languages

Learning a foreign language is easier, such aswith the following techniques:
Chinese, when understanding how you learn. The- Orchestrated - immersion into learning
science of learning is based on several theoriesenvironments
and include: multiple intelligences, right-brain- Relaxed - elimination or reduction of anxiety and
left-brain/whole-brain, and brain-based learning.still challenging
Understanding how you learn new information- Active - internalization of new knowledge by
becomes the keystone to effective studyprocessing information
patterns and habits. Many people who attempt toA program should not be strictly lecture-based
learn a new language give up, primarily becauseand depend on rote memorization of knowledge.
they pick a program that does not fit theirThe best programs use many different
learning style. These people unknowingly try to fitinstructional strategies that fully engage you in the
their learning style into a program. The followinglearning process. Based on this brain-based
discussion focuses on learning styles, ways ofresearch to support internalization of new
learning, and how to master second languageknowledge, emersion in cultural and personal
usage.experiences with a new language is important to
Multiple Intelligences and Learning Stylesrelaxed and active learning. With the wide diversity
The theory of multiple intelligences, by Howardof people in this country, there are many
Gardner (Frames of mind: The theory of multipleopportunities to use the new language in an
intelligences., 1983), provides the foundation forappropriate cultural setting that helps you process
the seven learning styles associated with thisand internalize the language.
theory. They are:Mastery Learning of Chinese
- Verbal - Linguistic: use language and words toAnother key to selecting a foreign language
understandprogram is allowing you all the time you need to
- Logical - Mathematical: inductive and deductivelearn and master the language. Mastery of learning
reasoning in using numbers abstract patterns tomoves beyond rote memorization of vocabulary
analyze informationto a level that the new language becomes second
- Visual - Spatial: visualize objects/dimensions andnature. After reading the different theories of
create internal images/pictures to understand howlearning you can see that everyone uses different
something will or might workstrategies and techniques to learn, even if they
- Body - Kinesthetic: control your body's physicaldo not understand why. Another aspect with
motionknowledge of your learning style is that you do
- Musical - Rhythmic: recognize tonal patternsnot learn at the same pace as everyone else.
- Interpersonal: person-to-person communications,The Chinese program we offer supports learning
relate with othersat your own pace and giving you time to master
- Intrapersonal: spiritual, self-reflection, andthe language. Mastery is attributed to how we
awarenesslearn and the ways we use a new language
Everyone has many styles of learning and one is(Glasser, W.). The following demonstrates level of
dominate over all other learning styles. Knowledgemastery when Chinese is:
of your dominate learning style helps identify- 70% - Discussed with Others
which program to select for learning a second- 80% - Experienced Personally
language. See the first link at the end of this- 95% - Taught to Someone Else
article to spend a few minutes answeringExamples of Mastery Learning
questions to determine your dominate learningAn example of 95% mastery is to teach
style.someone else the meaning of yi gong which
Left-Brain, Right-Brain, Whole Brain Learningmeans all together in Chinese. This is accomplished
Most instruction in educational settings is left-brainby having the person take scattered items and
oriented, which means a focus on logic andplace them together while saying the Chinese
reasoning (Logical - Mathematical learning style).word. This helps you to internalize and learn as
This approach does not emphasize understanding,you observe using a whole-brain approach in an
because traditional education emphasizes roteorchestrated/active environment. This example
memorization of facts. Right-brain activities focususes dominate learning styles that are
on creativity, such as feelings and the artsLogical-Mathematical or Visual-Spatial.
(Sperry, R.).A second example of 95% mastery is to teach
A foreign language program needs to focus on asomeone else the meaning of yi gong by having
whole-brain approach to support dominate andthem follow your actions. This is accomplished by
non-dominate learning styles. This whole-brainhaving someone else emulate your motions as
approach focuses on comprehension, as learnersyou both gather scattered items and bring them
are encouraged to describe a visual image, drawtogether. Again this uses the whole-brain approach
pictures, use reasoning, and act out situations inin an orchestrated/active environment. This
which the language is used to understand newexample uses dominate learning styles that are
language context. This is a very good method forVerbal - Linguistic, Body - Kinesthetic, or
learning new language vocabularies throughInterpersonal.
contextual settings. See the second link at theA third example of 95% mastery is writing a
end of this article to spend a few minutesshort song that uses yi gong in a pattern or
answering questions to determine if you arechange the words in a musical lyric to include yi
left-brain or right-brain dominate.gong. Keep the meaning of yi gong in context at
Brain-Based Learningall times in the song or lyric. After completing one
According to brain-based learning researchof these actives, think about how this fits within
(McClean, P.), although each brain is unique,any of your other actions or situations. This
everyone can learn a foreign language such asexample uses dominate learning styles that are
Chinese. Better foreign language programs takeVerbal - Linguistic, Musical - Rhythmic, or
advantage of brain-based research and dominateIntrapersonal.
learning styles to using a whole-brain approach