Topic > Application of neuroscience in the English lesson

IndexIntroductionNeuroscienceBrain functionsCognitive neuroscienceNeuroscience in educationIntroductionThe neuroscientific contributions applied to the English lesson suggest that the English teacher should be able to explore and use multisensory teaching in a social and emotional environment . Teaching English requires a mix of novelty and being flexible and pleasant so that the teacher can motivate and attract students' attention. That is why we propose to implement the English lesson with more educational games, interactional teamwork, using more technological gadgets, images, music and objects to encourage more positive attitudes in the learning process in accordance with neuroscience. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the study of the brain and nervous system, in humans and animals, in contexts of health and disease. This discipline was developed to revolutionize other disciplines such as psychology, education, sports, mathematics and more. Neuroscience is no longer a discipline that works alone but influences other disciplines to have a broader vision. To start talking about neuroscience we should explain how the brain and the nervous system are composed. The nervous system is made up of the spinal cord and the brain. The brain sends nerve signals to different parts of the body through the central and peripheral nervous systems. The peripheral nervous system is connected to the body's muscles and specialized sensory cells that respond to stimuli such as pain or touch. The brain or encephalon is the most important organ of the nervous system and has a storage capacity greater than any supercomputer. This brain is divided into two hemispheres: left and right which are bounded by the corpus callosum of the cerebrum and each lobe is divided into four lobes: frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobe. The frontal lobe is known to be related to emotions, control of voluntary movements or activities, and cognitive functions. On the other hand, the parietal lobe is more related to sensory perception and processes such as processing information about temperature, taste, touch and movement. The lobe responsible for vision is the occipital lobe. The process of hearing and listening is the task of the temporal lobe which also processes memories and integrates them with sensations of taste and sounds. Anatomically, the brain is composed of neurons which are the basic unit of the brain's work. Neurons have the function of receiving signals or information to the body, integrating incoming signals, and communicating the signals to target cells. Brain Functions Another important function of the nervous system is the processing of sensory information such as vision, hearing, smell and touch. When sensory receptors are stimulated, they generate electrical signals and travel through nerves. Sight is a complex sense because it connects a person with the outside world in a more meaningful way. Listening is the sense responsible for communication, the perception of sounds and the interpretation of speech. All this happens in Wernicke's area which is located in the left hemisphere and is the key to understanding oral language. Smell and taste are the senses that allow us to distinguish different flavours. The sense of touch works with skin cells to transmit sensations such as temperature or pain. Language as a higher function of the brain is one of the most extraordinary abilities of the human being and is a complex system involving many elements. Language is the ability to encode ideas into signals and distinguish them fromthoughts. Nowadays it is known that the recognition of sounds and words occurs in the temporal lobe and that speech is controlled by the left hemisphere of the brain. Learning and memory are superior functions that collaborate because both can modify the behavior that results from the interaction of environmental and genetic stimuli. Through the learning process, we can acquire new information that will subsequently be stored by the brain and the memory will process the retention and retrieval of the new stored contents. Perception is a sense that manifests itself in different ways such as visual, auditory, olfactory taste and touch. Through these paths the information is received and reconstructed to generate an internal representation of the object. Here we analyze the characteristics of objects such as colours, smells, sounds or shapes. Perception and sensation have a strong relationship with cognition because they provide a lot of information to the brain. The brain is considered an organ that changes structure over time thanks to plasticity and is naturally oriented towards learning. Brain functions located in the neocortex are functions that influence the learning process and release emotional sensations such as anger, fear, threat, and others. In the case of English learners, these emotions could be fear, anxiety or rejection and can influence the learning process. English teachers must accept that learning and emotions are very connected and it is in their hands to create an environment where students feel safe interacting in a foreign language. Cognitive neuroscience Cognitive neuroscience seeks to understand how brain functions drive mental activities such as perception, memory, language and even consciousness. Part of cognitive neuroscience also develops how the brain processes information. This is called cognitive processes. These higher functions are language, learning, memory, perception and attention. When it comes to second language learning, methodologies involve the implementation of innovations that go against the traditional teaching process. Traditional teaching methods are characterized by repetition, memorizing grammatical structures usually with context. Neuroscience in Education The field of education has always been linked to neuroscience investigation that provides education with discoveries about how the human brain works and processes new knowledge. For the educational sector, there is the possibility of welcoming that information to stimulate the learning process and be able to transform teaching through multisensory paths. The learning process begins with nerve cells called neurons. Neurons represent approximately 10% of the brain's composition and are responsible for information processing. 90% is composed of glial cells. Synapsis occurs when neurons connect with other neurons. One neuron can connect with thousands of other neurons. In the past it was thought that neurons specialized in certain skills and could not take part in the development of other skills. Nowadays, neuroplasticity is a well-used term to explain that neurons can reconfigure themselves with each new stimulus and create new connections. Consequently, teachers can use neuroplasticity or neuronal plasticity as support because they have the responsibility to promote effective learning in their students. Neuroscience also suggests that as more sensory pathways are stimulated, more synapses are created. This means that the new knowledge will have a great impact on the student's brain. Learning this way ensures that the student will remember much more.