Language and the Brain

What this unit covers

This unit sits in the Cognitive Neuroscience strand of Neuroscience. It looks at how the brain handles speech, reading and communication, and what happens when those systems break down. Over 120 resources are listed, and most are mind maps and flashcard decks.

Where to start

Begin with a broad overview. The mind map Neurobiology of Language (L&C and Cog Neuro) branches into speech, reading, speech production and perception, with evidence from fMRI and TMS, plus aphasias and models. The flashcard deck Language asks which hemisphere leads in speech and how often speech is lateralised in right and left handers. Learning 2014 covers Wernicke's area, Broca's area, the arcuate fasciculus and their mirror regions in the opposite hemisphere.

Going deeper

• Speech and words: the deck Lecture 6 - The Speaking Brain starts with the Cohort Model of word recognition. Chapter 12: Language covers the source-filter model, phones and phonemes.
• Reading: the quiz The Reading Brain 101 tests the visual word form area and the temporal lobe regions involved. The mind map Literacy Aquisition adds stages of literacy and the role of teachers, so it suits teachers too.
• Disorders: Aphasias is a flashcard deck, and there are mind maps on paraphasias, agrammatism, dysarthria and conduction aphasia. The map SLP Orals Concepts Review groups neurogenic communication disorders in one place.
• Animal models: the notes Birdsong Lecture 7 describe three neuronal pathways in birdsong and how its learning is investigated.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a mind map first to see how the ideas connect. Then take a quiz such as The Reading Brain 101 without looking. Wherever you slip, go back to the matching map or flashcard deck and read that branch again. Repeat until the gaps close.

Teachers can pull a map or deck straight into a lesson as ready-made material. Pick a topic that suits you and start with the first resource that catches your eye.