May 16, 2024 (MEZ - in Person)

TALK STARTS AT 14:00 (BUILDING 42 - ROOM 105)

Title: Young children’s competencies development in the context of the home learning environment

Speaker: Frank Niklas (University of Munich; invited by Patricia Wesseling)

Abstract: Children’s literacy and mathematical competencies are a critical platform for their successful functioning as individuals in society. However, many children, in particular those with low socioeconomic status backgrounds who may not receive the home support needed to develop to their full potential, are at risk of not reaching sufficient competence levels. Consequently, we are in need of intervention approaches that support young children’s mathematical and literacy competencies directly, so that they are ready to start school with the ability to adequately learn. In this presentation, I will provide information about children’s development in their home learning environment and discuss findings of intervention studies in the family context.

 

Location: RPTU - Campus Kaiserslautern, Building 57, Room 508

OR 

Zoom Link: https://uni-kl-de.zoom-x.de/j/68011125515?pwd=K2JRNmQ5amxLQ3JBY2tMRUtkRDlPdz09 

June 20, 2024 at 15:30 (MEZ - in-person)

Title: Mini Conference - Cognitive Science

Speaker: Master students from Cognitive Science

Abstract: Talks ans poster presentations from various labrotations

Location: RPTU - Campus Kaiserslautern, Building 57, Room 508

July 04, 2024 at 15:30 (MEZ - in-person)

Title: Heritage Languages: Extending Variationist Approaches

Speaker: Naomi Nagy (University of Toronto; invited by Shanley Allen)

Abstract: Heritage language speakers often feel discouraged from using heritage languages because they are told that they don’t speak it well. The HLVC Project (https://ngn.artsci.utoronto.ca/HLVC; Nagy 2024) offsets such views by investigating heritage language variation and change across generations, in ten languages spoken in Toronto. We apply comparative variationist sociolinguistic approaches to quantitatively analyze spontaneous speech. This approach, based on a corpus of 450+ speakers, shows that variation and change across the grammar of heritage languages resembles patterns reported for majority languages, contrasting with the simplification/attrition patterns reported in many experimental heritage language studies. Comparisons across generations and across languages, for several linguistic variables will be illustrated.

The following contact-related hypotheses are contradicted by the data:

  • communities with higher ethnolinguistic vitality are more resistant to contact-induced variation;
  • speakers with greater affinity for or more frequent use of English show stronger contact effects;
  • successive generations of speakers, with increasing contact with English, show greater contact effects.

 

Reference:

Nagy, N. 2024. Heritage Languages: Extending variationist approaches. Cambridge University Press.

 

Location: RPTU - Campus Kaiserslautern, Building 57, Room 508

OR 

Zoom Link: https://uni-kl-de.zoom-x.de/j/63349030566?pwd=SkpvaWxEMGFqMy9NU0JpM3BiQWtXZz09 

July 11, 2024 at 15:30 (MEZ - in-person)

Title: Mini Conference - Cognitive Science

Speaker: Master students from Cognitive Science

Abstract: Talks ans poster presentations from various labrotations

Location: RPTU - Campus Kaiserslautern, Building 57, Room 508

July 18, 2024 at 15:30 (MEZ - in-person)

Title: Psychosocial Aspects & Dementia

Speaker: Francisca Rodriguez (University of Greifswald; invited by Thomas Lachmann)

Abstract: In this talk, I will address the importance of psychosocial aspects in the etiology and treatment of dementia. While dementia is marked by neurodegeneration of the brain, these processes as well as the the symptoms can be influenced by psychosocial factors. I will talk specifically about the role of social isolation and social deprivation, intellectual stimulation in the form of education and leisure activities, and stress. These factors, among others, are not only important lifestyle aspects that can influence dementia risk. They are also important factors in managing the symptoms of those who have dementia.

 

Location: RPTU - Campus Kaiserslautern, Building 57, Room 508

OR 

Zoom Link: https://uni-kl-de.zoom-x.de/j/63349030566?pwd=SkpvaWxEMGFqMy9NU0JpM3BiQWtXZz09