Language immersion and language training: Two paths to enhanced language regulation and cognitive control.

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psycholinguistics
• Bilingualism Research

Background:

• Bilinguals regulate their dominant language (L1) to produce the less dominant language (L2).
• Understanding the cognitive control mechanisms involved in language switching is crucial.
• Previous research (Zhang et al., 2015) explored training effects in an L1 context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how cognitive control is engaged during language switching in different immersion contexts.
• To compare the effects of training on language switching in L2 immersion versus L1 environments.
• To examine the role of proactive control in regulating language production.

Main Methods:

• Chinese-English bilinguals were studied in two contexts: L2 immersion abroad and L1 environment.
• Participants underwent electroencephalography (EEG) recording during an AX-Continuous Performance Task (AX-CPT).
• Training on language switching was administered, and its effects on cognitive control were assessed.

Main Results:

• Training enhanced proactive control in the L1 context (Zhang et al., 2015) but not under L2 immersion.
• L2-immersed bilinguals showed enhanced proactive control at pre-test compared to L1-immersed bilinguals.
• L2 immersion led to greater L1 inhibition during language switching.

Conclusions:

• L2 immersion acts as a natural training context, fostering reliance on proactive control for L1 regulation.
• Enhanced proactive control in L2 immersion facilitates the inhibition of the dominant language.
• Contextual immersion significantly influences the cognitive control strategies employed by bilinguals.