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Hello there! I’m Katrina, a linguist specializing in bilingual language development and a coach specializing in supporting parents to raise their children with multiple languages.
After years in academia (I have PhD Candidacy!) studying and working with a wide range of bilinguals and multilinguals I began to notice a pattern. While the majority of the world is bilingual, parents are seriously lacking the knowledge and support they need to successfully raise their children to speak multiple languages. That’s where I come in, through my work at Bringing up Bilinguals I’m on a mission to bring research-backed, data-driven, and evidence-based linguistic knowledge to support families on their unique bilingual journey. I’m so happy to be collaborating with Juliana and Language Mindset to be guest authoring a series of blog posts highlighting some of the science behind language learning and development.
Learning a new language is an enriching endeavor that stimulates various cognitive processes. While traditional methods focus on vocabulary drills and grammar exercises, incorporating drawing into foreign language learning has emerged as a powerful tool to enhance comprehension and retention especially in child learners. So let's dive into the science behind the benefits of drawing in learning a new language.
Stimulating Multimodal Learning
Drawing engages multiple sensory modalities, including visual, spatial, and kinesthetic processing. When learners sketch or illustrate vocabulary words and concepts, they activate different regions of the brain associated with perception, memory, and motor skills. This multimodal approach enhances comprehension by providing learners with multiple channels through which to encode and retrieve information, leading to more robust language acquisition.
Facilitating Visual Memory Encoding
Research suggests that visual stimuli are processed more efficiently and remembered more vividly than auditory or textual information. By associating foreign language words with visual representations through drawing, learners create powerful memory cues that aid in recall. Visual memory encoding strengthens neural connections and facilitates faster retrieval of vocabulary, enabling learners to recall words more readily in conversation or writing.
Enhancing Cognitive Processing
Drawing requires careful observation, spatial reasoning, and problem-solving skills—all of which are essential cognitive processes involved in language learning. When learners sketch scenes or illustrate concepts in a new language, they must analyze the meaning of words, decipher grammatical structures, and creatively represent linguistic concepts visually. This cognitive engagement deepens understanding and fosters higher-order thinking skills critical for language proficiency.
Fostering Emotional Engagement
Drawing evokes emotions and personal connections, which are powerful drivers of learning and motivation. When learners create visual representations of new language concepts, they invest personal meaning into their creations, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement with the material. This emotional connection enhances motivation and sustains interest in language learning, leading to greater persistence and achievement over time.
Cultivating Creativity and Fluency
Drawing encourages creativity and imagination, qualities that are crucial for young language learners. When learners illustrate stories, describe scenes, or invent visual narratives in their second language, they engage in linguistic expression in a dynamic and authentic way that is relevant to their lives. This creative process allows learners to experiment with vocabulary and grammar in a new way leading to more natural and fluid language production.
Drawing is a versatile and effective tool for enhancing second (or third!) language learning, backed by science. By stimulating multimodal learning, facilitating visual memory encoding, enhancing cognitive processing, fostering emotional engagement, and cultivating creativity and fluency, drawing offers myriad benefits for language learners of all ages and proficiency levels. So, unleash your creativity, pick up your coloured pencils, and embark on a linguistic journey enriched by the transformative power of drawing.
I’m Katrina and I’m a linguist specializing in childhood bilingualism and heritage language acquisition. Originally from Toronto, I’ve spent the last 8 years living between Canada and Spain where I’ve completed two degrees in linguistics and received doctoral candidacy for my research on English as a home language in multilingual children in Spain. As a bilingual parenting coach I work with families around the world bringing my years of experience and expertise to your multilingual home. Raising children can be stressful and with all the advice out there it can be hard to know what is relevant and applicable for your bilingual family. I’m here to take away some of the stress and anxiety that comes with bilingual development and help set your family on the best path forward (backed by science).
Links
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/bringingupbilinguals/
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