Foreign Language Learning from the Perspective of Behavioral Sciences and Behavioral Economics

Learning a foreign language not only enhances our cognitive capacity but also increases our cultural awareness. Needless to say, it is a significant personal investment for the future, offering various economic opportunities.

Recognizing these important benefits, individuals dedicate time and effort to learning a new language. However, language learning is not merely a cognitive process. It is also influenced by psychological, sociological, and behavioral factors. As human beings, we act not only based on rational decision-making processes but also under the influence of emotional, social, and environmental factors.

In this article, we will discuss one key factor that activates these elements and positively contributes to language learning: the significant role of short- or long-term language education abroad and education-focused trips in foreign language acquisition.

Drawing on fundamental findings from behavioral sciences and behavioral economics, we will explore how overseas experience contributes to the language learning process. We will particularly examine factors such as “habit formation”, “the influence of social norms”, “the exposure effect”, “cognitive effort”, “motivation”, and “the economics of learning”. By doing so, we will derive insights into how we can optimize our language learning process.

The Exposure Effect and Language Learning

The “exposure effect” refers to the phenomenon where people become increasingly familiar with stimuli they frequently encounter and gradually develop a positive attitude toward them.

Spending time, even briefly, in a country where a foreign language is spoken ensures continuous exposure to that language’s words, sounds, and sentence structures. For example, individuals studying a language abroad constantly hear and are required to use the target language while listening to announcements and conversations on public transport, shopping in stores or supermarkets, or interacting with locals. This exposure supports unconscious learning and accelerates the learning process. In contrast, when learning a language in a classroom, a language course, or through individual study, learners often miss out on the intensive benefits of the exposure effect.

Social Norms and Language Use

Social norms refer to the mechanisms that ensure individuals behave in accordance with the expectations of their social environment. People generally seek to conform to their social surroundings and feel rewarded when they adhere to these norms.

From a language learning perspective, individuals studying abroad, no matter how shy or introverted, feel compelled to use the target language in a society where it is spoken. For instance, a student attending an English course in the UK, being in an environment where speaking English is the norm, suppresses their inclination to speak in their native language and pushes themselves to use English more frequently. This adaptation to social norms contributes to the rapid improvement of their language proficiency.

Cognitive Effort and the Economics of Learning

Daniel Kahneman describes the workings of the human brain as a dual-system model: System 1 and System 2. System 1 operates automatically and quickly, requiring little or no effort and involving no deliberate control. System 2, on the other hand, is responsible for complex mental tasks, such as solving difficult calculations, requiring conscious effort, choice, and attention. Since System 2 demands significant cognitive effort, it naturally consumes more energy. Studying, focusing on a topic attentively, and making deliberate decisions are examples of System 2 activities. Behavioral economics shows that people tend to avoid cognitive effort whenever possible.

This observation is also relevant to language learning. However, staying in a country where a foreign language is spoken increases situations where using that language becomes the only available option. For example, ordering food, purchasing a book from a bookstore, or carrying out banking transactions all provide natural opportunities to develop language skills. The more individuals are exposed to these situations, the more their language use shifts from requiring conscious effort (System 2) to becoming automatic and effortless (System 1), just like speaking their native language.

From the perspective of learning economics, it is also observed that repeated exposure to knowledge and skills leads to a reduction in the effort required to apply them over time. Although individuals spending time abroad may initially experience a cognitive overload, they gradually adapt to the language and continue the learning process with less effort.

Motivation and the Impact of Studying Abroad

Beyond the aspects mentioned above, it is important to acknowledge the positive impact of overseas experience on individuals’ motivation to learn a language. Students studying abroad gain a deeper understanding of the social and academic significance of knowing a foreign language. Additionally, those who communicate in the local language during their stay become more engaged and committed to the learning process. This is because people feel a greater sense of internal satisfaction when they achieve something through their own efforts.

The Positive Impact of Short-Term Education-Focused Trips

For individuals who do not have the opportunity to study abroad for an extended period, short-term education-focused trips are also highly beneficial. These trips provide intensive exposure to a foreign language, as discussed earlier. Additionally, students realize that learning a language is not just about vocabulary and grammar but must be acquired within a cultural context.

Another crucial advantage of such trips is that they help students overcome the fear of making mistakes while speaking a foreign language. Being in a country where the target language is spoken breaks down psychological barriers and builds confidence in language use.

Our experience has shown that students who participate in even a one- or two-week overseas language education program return with increased confidence and integrate their experiences into their ongoing language learning journey.

In summary:

From the perspective of behavioral economics and behavioral sciences, we see that short- or long-term language education abroad contains powerful factors that accelerate the language learning process. Concepts such as the exposure effect, social norms, cognitive effort, motivation, and learning economy explain why this experience is so effective.

Learning a language is not just about memorizing vocabulary and mastering grammar. Language is one of the most important tools for understanding and embracing a culture. Therefore, prioritizing international experience in language learning will be a crucial step for individuals, enhancing their social, academic, and professional success.