Fig. 1: Examples of studies that examined the role of social interaction during semantic or language learning.
From: Social interaction shapes and boosts second language learning: virtual reality can show us how
A fMRI study that compared learning L2 words by viewing videos of social situations vs. translation. Here we see the brain areas activated in each type of learning (contrast between initial and learning and the following session). Note that Social learning shows greater activation in the right middle temporal gyrus, the superior temporal sulcus, and the inferior frontal gyrus, and both conditions show greater activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus, and supplementary motor area (Jeong et al., 2021; License: CC BY 4.0) B Behavioral study comparing learning conceptual information about new words by observing (Recorded) vs. engaging in (Live) social interaction. The Live condition resulted in greater behavioral accuracy post-training overall. Viewing the teacher’s full face improved learning in the Recorded condition but not in the Live condition (De Felice et al., 2021; copyright permission from Elsevier, license number: 5812910454464) C fMRI study comparing L2 learning with an imagined social partner vs. a computer. A positive correlation emerged between accuracy post-training and activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus for the interactive group and in the fusiform gyrus for the non-interactive group. (Verga & Kotz, 2019; copyright permission from Elsevier, license number: 5812620564760) D. fMRI study comparing sign language syntax learning with live interaction vs. through viewing videos. Only the Live interaction group showed activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus post-training. (Yusa et al., 2017; License: CC BY 4.0).
