Project description
Studying the successful second language acquisition
In today's diverse and interconnected world, multilingualism has become increasingly prevalent. However, a significant challenge persists in efficient communication between second or third language speakers and native speakers due to notable differences in language proficiency. While previous research has primarily focused on learning strategies and personality traits, researchers are now exploring individual differences in phonological processing and their impact on second language acquisition. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the OptiSeLL project aims to unlock the key factors that facilitate language learning and design educational environments supporting flexible communication. By leveraging existing individual variability, OptiSeLL seeks to identify the pivotal factors that facilitate second language learning.
Objective
Even though multilingualism is highly prevalent in Europe, those who speak a second or third language often differ substantially from native speakers in ways that hinder efficient communication. Despite it being acknowledged that individual differences play a critical role in learning a foreign language, the majority of research has focused on a narrow subset of factors such as learning strategies and personality traits. OptiSeLL aims to expand this exploration by looking at individual differences in phonological processing and the role they play in second language acquisition.
OptiSeLL is based on recent findings from basic research in psycholinguistics showing that listeners differ substantially in how they process the speech signal. Our aim is to expand these novel findings and assess the degree to which they can be applied to second language learning. OptiSeLL specific objectives are to:
1. Examine whether individual differences in speech processing affect the acquisition of new phonological contrasts.
2. Examine whether such differences can also affect novel word learning.
3. Assess the degree to which exposure to different phonetic systems may lead to a more flexible speech processing.
In other words, this project will take advantage of the existing individual variability to identify the key factors that facilitate second language learning, possibly through the development of flexible speech perception systems. Once known, we can then explore how we can manipulate these factors to design educational environments that support flexible communication and efficient language learning. In addition, the findings of this project will be of high theoretical significance to the field as they will considerably advance our understanding of basic speech perception mechanisms.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- humanities languages and literature general language studies
- humanities languages and literature linguistics
- social sciences psychology psycholinguistics
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-IF-EF-ST - Standard EF
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2017
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20009 San Sebastian
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.