What are mental maps and how can we utilize them to help us learn a language? A mental map represents a person’s perception of their surroundings. Our brain subconsciously creates mental maps to help us understand what our environment looks like, which in turn helps us to understand how to interreact with our surroundings. These mental maps are activated without physical movement of our body, rather with just thinking about our experiences.
These are the maps that show you the places and locations you have been to, and from there you can navigate around the store without any issues.
Let’s take going to the grocery store for example, as soon as you walk into the store you dont see the need to ask anyone for help with where things are…this is because your brain engages cognitive maps stored in your hippocampus. These are the maps that show you the palces and locations you have been to, and from there you can navigate around the store without any issues.
Now instead of GOING to the store, IMAGINE walking into the store while you are sitting in your couch. Your brain can still create these maps without actually being there! These amazing maps that our brain creates are recruited to perform mental navigation without, as said before, physical effort from our part.
So…How does this affect us, in terms of language acquisition?
Language learning can feel overwhelming at times, even us teachers know that. New vocabulary, complex grammar rules, and the struggle to remember everything can leave you discouraged. But what if there was a tool that could make the process smoother and ultimately more effective?