INHERITED FACTORS IN SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
Keywords:
second language proficiency, heredity, language aptitude, genetic heritability, brain plasticity, twin studies, critical period, cognitive genetics, L2 skill, genetic research, gene-environment interactions, genome-wide association studies, epigenetic changes, multilingualism, auditory processingAbstract
Learning a second language, or L2, isn't just about practice—it's influenced by all sorts of things, from mental states and surroundings to our biology. People differ a lot in how well they learn L2 skills, how competent they get, and their overall performance, and a big part of that comes down to genetics. This piece looks at how our built-in biological traits connect to the process of mastering an L2, using insights from twin studies, brain scans, and genetic research to show how inherited features shape language abilities. We talk about things like how heritable language aptitude is, changes in genes that affect thinking and brain flexibility, and the idea of a critical window for learning that's influenced by our genes. Sure, genetics sets the stage for differences in L2 results, but factors like immersion and teaching methods still play a huge role. We also touch on what this means for education, such as tailored lesson plans, and future research, like big genetic mapping efforts. Getting a handle on the genetic side of L2 success could really improve how we teach and support students with different biological makeups.
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