NEUROLINGUISTIC CHALLENGES FOR LEARNING FOREIGN LANGUAGES

The acquisition of a foreign language is a complex cognitive endeavor that relies heavily on the brain's neurobiological adaptability and cognitive resources. This study aims to identify and analyze the primary neurolinguistic challenges encountered by adult learners in second language acquisition. Using a systematic review of neurolinguistic frameworks and comparative analysis, the research investigates the biological constraints of the aging brain. The results indicate that the most significant hurdles stem from diminished neuroplasticity, the functional gap between declarative and procedural memory systems, and negative linguistic interference from the native language (L1). Specifically, the findings highlight how limitations in working memory capacity create a "bottleneck" effect, hindering the automation of new phonetic and syntactic structures. In the discussion, the study evaluates pedagogical strategies, such as the Neurolinguistic Approach (NLA), which prioritize the development of implicit "internal grammar" to bypass these cognitive barriers. The study concludes that aligning language teaching methodologies with the brain's cognitive architecture can significantly enhance proficiency outcomes. These findings emphasize the necessity of integrating neurophysiological insights into modern curriculum design.