Gkintoni Evgenia, Vassilopoulos Stephanos P, Nikolaou Georgios
Department of Educational Sciences and Social Work, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece.
Biomimetics (Basel). 2025 Jun 12;10(6):397. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics10060397.
BACKGROUND: Multicultural education and second-language acquisition engaged neural networks, supporting executive function, memory, and social cognition in adulthood, represent powerful forms of brain-inspired multisensory learning. The neuroeducational framework integrates neuroscience with pedagogical practice to understand how linguistically and culturally rich environments drive neuroplasticity and cognitive adaptation in adult learners. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesizes findings from 80 studies examining neuroplasticity and cognitive outcomes in adults undergoing multicultural and second-language acquisition, focusing on underlying neural mechanisms and educational effectiveness. METHODS: The analysis included randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies employing diverse neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, MEG, DTI) to assess structural and functional brain network changes. Interventions varied in terms of immersion intensity (ranging from limited classroom contact to complete environmental immersion), multimodal approaches (integrating visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements), feedback mechanisms (immediate vs. delayed, social vs. automated), and learning contexts (formal instruction, naturalistic acquisition, and technology-enhanced environments). Outcomes encompassed cognitive domains (executive function, working memory, attention) and socio-emotional processes (empathy, cultural adaptation). RESULTS: Strong evidence demonstrates that multicultural and second-language acquisition induce specific neuroplastic adaptations, including enhanced connectivity between language and executive networks, increased cortical thickness in frontal-temporal regions, and white matter reorganization supporting processing efficiency. These neural changes are correlated with significant improvements in working memory, attentional control, and cognitive flexibility. Immersion intensity, multimodal design features, learning context, and individual differences, including age and sociocultural background, moderate the effectiveness of interventions across adult populations. CONCLUSIONS: Adult multicultural and second-language acquisition represents a biologically aligned educational approach that leverages natural neuroplastic mechanisms to enhance cognitive resilience. Findings support the design of interventions that engage integrated neural networks through rich, culturally relevant environments, with significant implications for cognitive health across the adult lifespan and for evidence-based educational practice.
背景:多元文化教育和第二语言习得涉及神经网络,支持成年期的执行功能、记忆和社会认知,是受大脑启发的强大的多感官学习形式。神经教育框架将神经科学与教学实践相结合,以了解语言和文化丰富的环境如何驱动成年学习者的神经可塑性和认知适应。 目的:本系统综述综合了80项研究的结果,这些研究考察了进行多元文化和第二语言习得的成年人的神经可塑性和认知结果,重点关注潜在的神经机制和教育效果。 方法:分析包括采用多种神经成像技术(功能磁共振成像、脑磁图、扩散张量成像)评估大脑结构和功能网络变化的随机对照试验和纵向研究。干预措施在沉浸式强度(从有限的课堂接触到完全的环境沉浸)、多模态方法(整合视觉、听觉和动觉元素)、反馈机制(即时与延迟、社交与自动)以及学习环境(正式教学、自然习得和技术增强环境)方面各不相同。结果包括认知领域(执行功能、工作记忆、注意力)和社会情感过程(同理心、文化适应)。 结果:有力证据表明,多元文化和第二语言习得会引发特定的神经可塑性适应,包括语言网络与执行网络之间连接性增强、额颞区域皮质厚度增加以及支持处理效率的白质重组。这些神经变化与工作记忆、注意力控制和认知灵活性的显著改善相关。沉浸式强度、多模态设计特点、学习环境以及个体差异,包括年龄和社会文化背景,会调节针对成年人群体的干预措施的效果。 结论:成人多元文化和第二语言习得是一种符合生物学原理的教育方法,它利用自然的神经可塑性机制来增强认知恢复力。研究结果支持通过丰富的、与文化相关的环境来设计参与整合神经网络的干预措施,这对整个成年期的认知健康以及基于证据的教育实践具有重要意义。
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