Interaction between explicit and implicit knowledge in L2 learning: what are the contributions brought by neurolinguistics to this discussion?

Abstract

This paper brings back an old discussion in studies on L2 acquisition, about how the interaction between explicit and implicit knowledge of a learner happens. The main hypotheses on how these L2 types of knowledge interact are presented and we make an attempt to bring the contribution of neurolinguistics to the discussion. Neuroimaging shows that the brain has a certain specialization to different types of memories. However, theoretical models demonstrate that these memories interact and practice may automatize knowledge.