“They’ll soak it up like a sponge” is a common maxim associated with language learning in childhood. Young learners are thought to have a greater propensity for implicit language learning and the resulting advantages for ultimate attainment within immersion contexts are well-established (e.g. DeKeyser, 2000; Johnson & Newport, 1989). However, within instructed contexts, where exposure to the foreign language is minimal, opportunities for drawing on implicit learning mechanisms are limited. This means it is very difficult for learning ‘from mere exposure’ to take place. Yet, the extent to which explicit information and practice may be useful for young L2 learners is poorly understood.

In this talk, Dr Rowena Kasprowicz will present findings from a classroom-based, experimental study investigating the role of explicit learning for young learners’ grammatical knowledge development within the primary school (age 8 to 11) context in England. Furthermore, the talk will examine the extent to which young learners’ developing analytical abilities may mediate successful explicit learning within this context.

The presentation will be online and you can register for the link here. Please get in touch with Dr Eloi Puig-Mayenco if you have any issues.

About the speaker

Dr Rowena Kasprowicz is a Lecturer in Second Language Education at the University of Reading.