Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2025

Infant Auditory Processing and Event-related Brain Oscillations
Published on: July 1, 2015
Training auditory processing promotes second language speech acquisition
Kazuya Saito1, Katya Petrova1, Yui Suzukida1
1Institute of Education, University College London.
None:
Recent evidence suggests that domain-general auditory processing (sensitivity to the spectro-temporal characteristics of sounds) helps determine individual differences in L2 speech acquisition outcomes. The current study examined the extent to which focused training could enhance auditory processing ability, and whether this had a concomitant impact on L2 vowel proficiency. A total of 98 Japanese learners of English were divided into four groups: (1) Auditory-Only (F2 discrimination training); (2) Phonetic-Only (English [æ] and [ʌ] identification training); (3) Auditory-Phonetic (a combination of auditory and phonetic training); and (4) Control training. The results showed that the Phonetic-Only group improved only their English [æ] and [ʌ] identification, while the Auditory-Only and Auditory-Phonetic groups enhanced both auditory and phonetic skills. The results suggest that a learner's auditory acuity to key, domain-general acoustic cues (F2 = 1200-1600 Hz) promotes the acquisition of knowledge about speech categories (English [æ] vs. [ʌ]). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Language Development
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...
Auditory Pathway
When viewed cross-sectionally, the cochlea reveals the scala vestibuli and scala tympani flanking...
Language and Cognition
Auditory Perception
Higher Mental Functions of the Brain: Language
Language formation and comprehension take place in the dominant hemisphere. The dominant hemisphere is responsible for understanding the meaning of spoken, written, or sign language, as well as the ability to communicate. For most people, the left hemisphere is the dominant one. The right hemisphere, then, gives tone and emotional context to the...
Hearing

