How Language Learning Promotes Cognitive Flexibility and Critical Thinking

The workshop, designed as a bilingual event, began with a theoretical input in which Ursula Hehl gave participants a brief introduction to theories of language and worldview as well as to neurophysiological and cognitive-scientific findings on the effects of bilingualism and multilingualism.

Using two scenarios from everyday university life, participants then considered how misunderstandings in communication in a foreign language may initially cause confusion, but ultimately trigger learning processes and lead to the development of new perspectives.

The group work showed that various competencies, such as critical reflection, tolerance of ambiguity, empathy, emotional resilience, and the ability to switch perspective, are essential for dealing constructively with situations in which communication is challenging.

The concluding reflection clarified the way in which language learning supports the development of these cognitive and social competencies and can therefore make an important contribution to personal development.

With a wide range of courses, workshops, and advisory formats, the Language Learning Center allows members of TH Köln to train these competencies and expand their foreign language skills in an action-oriented and learner-centered way.