COGNITIVE PROCESSES IN LANGUAGE LEARNING

Аннотация:

Language learning represents one of the most sophisticated cognitive achievements of the human mind, requiring the coordinated operation of multiple mental processes. It is not a passive activity based solely on imitation; rather, it is an active, dynamic, and highly structured cognitive phenomenon. Core cognitive processes such as perception, attention, memory, and thinking play a decisive role in enabling learners to comprehend linguistic input, retain it in memory, and successfully produce language in communicative contexts. These processes influence both first language acquisition and second or foreign language learning, determining how efficiently learners process new information and integrate it into existing knowledge systems. This article offers a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the major cognitive processes involved in language learning from a psycholinguistic perspective. It explores how these processes function individually and interactively to support language acquisition. By understanding the cognitive mechanisms underlying language learning, educators and learners can develop more effective instructional strategies and learning techniques. The study emphasizes the close relationship between cognitive psychology and applied linguistics and highlights the importance of cognitive awareness as a key factor in successful language education.