Multilingual Dynamics in the Brain
Tohoku University
Welcome to the JEONG Lab. Our research explores how the human brain processes and manages multiple languages. Using advanced brain imaging techniques such as fMRI, together with behavioral experiments, we investigate the interactions between memory, emotion, and social factors in language learning. Our goal is to better understand how people adapt and communicate in diverse multilingual environments.
Our paper, “The neural correlates of pausing behaviours in L2 writing,” has been published in the Journal of Second Language Writing (corresponding authors: Andrea Révész and Hyeonjeong Jeong).
Conducted in collaboration with UCL, this study employed an fMRI-compatible keyboard to capture brain activity during free writing. To ouConducted as part of a TOHOKU–UCL collaboration, this study used an fMRI-compatible keyboard to capture brain activity during spontaneous L2 writing. To our knowledge, this is among the first studies to investigate free written composition inside an fMRI scanner.
🔍 Key Findings:
• Pause Location Matters: Pauses at lower textual units (within and between words) were associated with increased activation in language-related brain regions.
• Planning vs. Encoding: Pauses at higher textual units (between sentences) showed greater activation in brain areas linked to planning and higher-level organization.
• Sensorimotor Involvement: Within-word pauses elicited stronger activation in sensory and motor regions, suggesting engagement in fine-grained linguistic encoding.
• Neural–Behavioral Convergence: The alignment between pause behavior and brain activity supports the idea that cognitive processes proposed in writing models have identifiable neural correlates.
• Cross-Modal Consistency: In line with our previous work on speech, the findings indicate parallel neural mechanisms underlying conceptualization and linguistic encoding across modalities.
💡 The Takeaway:
This study provides novel neurocognitive evidence that spontaneous L2 writing is supported by distinct, level-specific brain processes. It also strengthens the link between behavioral models of writing and their neural underpinnings, offering a more integrated understanding of L2 production.
Read the full paper here:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jslw.2026.101303
Our manuscript, “Neural Mechanisms of Attitudinal Prosody in a Second Language: The Impact of Informal Exposure,” has been accepted for publication in Annual Review of Applied Linguistics.
The first author, Victoria-Anne Flood, is a doctoral student under my supervision, and I serve as the corresponding author.
Using fMRI, this study investigated the neural mechanisms underlying attitudinal prosody in a second language. The findings provide new insights into how learners interpret socially meaningful prosodic cues and highlight the importance of naturalistic exposure in the development of pragmatic comprehension in L2.
Our paper, “The neural correlates of mid- and end-clause silent pauses in L1 and L2 speech,” has been published in Bilingualism: Language and Cognition (corresponding authors: Andrea Révész and Hyeonjeong Jeong).
This TOHOKU–UCL collaborative study investigated how the location of silent pauses during spontaneous speech production—mid-clause vs. end-clause—relates to neural processes in both L1 and L2. Using fMRI, brain activity was recorded while Japanese learners of English performed spontaneous decision-making tasks in both languages. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine spontaneous L2 speech production using fMRI.
🔍 Key Findings:
• Location × Language Interaction: Pause location (mid- vs. end-clause) interacts with language (L1 vs. L2) in shaping neural activation patterns in key language-related regions.
• L2-Specific Neural Recruitment: In L2 speech, mid-clause pauses were associated with increased activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), linked to linguistic encoding.
• Conceptual Integration at Boundaries: End-clause pauses in L2 showed greater activation in the left angular gyrus (AG), suggesting involvement in higher-level conceptual integration.
• Distinct from L1 Processing: These patterns differed from L1, indicating that L2 speakers rely on region-specific neural mechanisms depending on where pauses occur.
• Fine-Grained View of Fluency: The findings provide a more detailed neurocognitive account of how speech planning and fluency are dynamically managed in a second language.
💡 The Takeaway:
This study demonstrates that spontaneous L2 speech production is supported by distinct, location-sensitive neural processes. It highlights how linguistic encoding and conceptual planning are differentially distributed across brain regions, offering new insights into the neural basis of L2 fluency.
Read the full paper here:
https://doi.org/10.1017/S1366728926101011
Hyeonjeong Jeong served as the lead and corresponding author of a collaborative paper now published in Language Learning! 📄✨ (Co-authored with S. Kadota, M. Kajiura, H. Nakanishi, K. Kazai, M. Kawasaki, Y. Nakano, and N. Hase).
Seeing the Speaker’s Face Enhances Second Language Shadowing: Neural and Behavioral Evidence
While L2 shadowing is traditionally audio-only, everyday communication involves seeing a speaker’s face. Using fMRI, we explored how visual facial cues enhance second-language shadowing for Japanese learners of English.
🔍 Key Findings:
• Higher Accuracy: Learners reproduced speech much more accurately when they could see the speaker's face compared to audio-only.
• Neural Engagement: Facial cues increased activity in brain regions linked to audiovisual integration, memory, and motivation.
• Proficiency Effects: Higher language proficiency (both oral and listening) correlated with more efficient neural processing during the task.
💡 The Takeaway: Our results highlight the pedagogical potential of visible faces in L2 speech production. Incorporating a speaker's face into shadowing practice helps learners bridge perception and production, better preparing them for real-world interactions. 🧠
Read the full paper here: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/lang.70026
I gave a talk at JSLAF, held at Tohoku University.
It was a very enjoyable two-day event. I would like to thank the colleagues and students who organized this wonderful event.
科学研究費 基盤研究 (B) 採択になりました。
KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) — Awarded
The aim of this project is to propose an integrated model of language acquisition that incorporates nonverbal information. Specifically, it theorizes how gaze, gesture, facial expression, prosody, and embodied contextual cues—forms of information that extend beyond lexical and syntactic content—support both language comprehension and production processes.
By accounting for the interaction between multimodal cues and linguistic representations in both receptive and productive domains, the project aims to advance a bidirectional model of language processing that reflects the inherently multimodal nature of human communication.
We are very pleased to share that Jiaxin Yan (D1, IGPLS) has received the JPA Most Distinguished Poster Presentation Award – International Division at the 89th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association (JPA), held September 5–7, 2025.
This award recognizes outstanding research contributions and exemplary presentation within the International Division. Congratulations to Jiaxin for this excellent achievement and to all co-authors for their collaboration.
Official Notification : Jiaxin Yan, Victoria-anne Flood, Motoaki Sugiura, and Hyeonjeong Jeong "Individual Differences in Gesture-Enhanced Second Language Memory: The Neural Role of Problem-Solving"
89th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association (JPA 2025), September 5–7, 2025
An official award ceremony will be held during the 90th Annual Convention of the JPA at Toyo University, Hakusan Campus, Tokyo, from September 4 to 6, 2026.
For more information about the conference and the International Division (MOU), please visit: https://pub.confit.atlas.jp/en/event/jpa2025/content/MOU
学術変革領域研究（A）（公募研究）採択になりました。
Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) (Publicly Offered Research) – FY2026
The project has been selected for funding under the Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) (Publicly Offered Research) – FY2026, within the research area “Qualia Structure.”
Project Title: “Overcoming Feelings Beyond Words: How Language Shares Dynamic States of Subjective Feelings”
This is a collaborative research project led by my doctoral student, Sunny (Kim Hyoungsun). During the planning and application process, Sunny played a central role. The project focuses on the interaction among the body, language, and emotion, aiming to clarify how dynamic states of subjective feelings are shared through language.
We are pleased to share that the following paper has received the JSLS 2025 Outstanding Paper Award, which includes a monetary prize.
Congratulations to Qiang Huang (D2) for the excellent presentation and to all co-authors for this outstanding achievement.
Qiang Huang, Yuto Aki, Daiko Takahashi, Motoaki Sugiura, and Hyeonjeong Jeong
Neural Correlates of Cross-Linguistic Syntactic Priming in Sentence Production: Evidence from Chinese–Japanese Bilinguals
The Japanese Society for Language Sciences (JSLS 2025), Matsuyama, Ehime University, Japan, July 12–13, 2025
On December 11, 2025, Hyeonjeong delivered a lecture at Korea University titled “Neuroscience and Language Education.” She was delighted to welcome many colleagues and long-time acquaintances from the field, whose presence made the event especially meaningful. The lecture provided a rewarding opportunity to share ideas, exchange perspectives, and deepen discussions on the future of interdisciplinary research.
We successfully held the seminar “Language, Testing, and the Brain: A Neurolinguistic Approach to Learning and Assessment” on November 14, 2025. The event brought together students and researchers for an engaging afternoon of discussion on language learning, assessment, and brain science.
https://cognac.tohoku.ac.jp/eng/schedule/detail.php?d=S0ksSczLtzU0MwYA
The invited speakers were:
Dr. Ryuya Komuro (Tohoku University, JSPS PD)
Measuring L2 vocabulary learning gain: A neurolinguistic perspective
Dr. Sathena Chan (University of Bedfordshire, UK)
The socio-cognitive approach to high-stakes language assessment
Professor Andrea Révész (University College London, UK)
Adaptive learning through eye-tracking: Exploring the gaze-contingency paradigm for L2 instruction
This seminar was part of our ongoing UK–Tohoku collaborative project and provided valuable insights for future interdisciplinary research.
The UK–JAPAN (Tohoku) TOEFL Writing Project (fMRI × Eye-tracking) officially began in October 2025.
We were honored to host Prof. Andrea Révész (UCL) and Dr. Sathena Chan (University of Bedfordshire) at Tohoku University to kick off this collaborative study.
By combining fMRI and eye-tracking, the project investigates how L2 learners integrate reading and listening comprehension into their writing. We look forward to sharing new discoveries from this exciting collaboration!
We had an inspiring seminar on Gestures, Language, and Brain Dynamics held at Tohoku University on October 28, 2025. The event featured four stimulating talks exploring the neural and cognitive mechanisms underlying gesture and communication.
We were especially honored to welcome Dr. Maria Graziano from Lund University (Sweden), whose engaging presentation offered deep insights into how gestures shape language processing. Alongside Dr. Graziano, presentations by Dr. Makiko Hirakawa (Chuo University), our student members, Jiaxin Yan (D1), and Yuyong Liu (D2) showcased the breadth of research conducted on multimodal communication—from fMRI investigations to developmental and bilingual studies.
It was a rewarding afternoon filled with lively discussions and new perspectives on how our bodies and brains create meaning together.
Wonderful news! Our former doctoral student Diego Elisandro Dardon has published his PhD research—conducted under my supervision—in Brain and Language, titled “The neural correlates of nominal classification rule learning and their individual differences” (Dardon, Cui, Sugiura, & Jeong, 2025).
This study asks a fundamental question: How does the brain learn grammatical rules that are grounded in meaning rather than form?
Using fMRI, we investigated how Japanese native speakers learn nominal classification rules—grammatical systems that categorize nouns according to semantic features such as animacy and object size. The findings revealed that activation in the left middle temporal gyrus (MTG) predicted successful rule learning and generalization, while activity in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and caudate nucleus decreased as learning progressed, indicating their roles as part of the core grammatical learning network. Moreover, individuals with higher working memory capacity showed reduced thalamic activation, suggesting more efficient information processing.
These findings demonstrate that meaning-based grammar learning engages a broad neural network integrating semantic and procedural systems, shedding new light on how the brain learns typologically diverse grammatical rules.
🔗 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bandl.2025.105654
Delighted to share our new L2 × Brain Science collaboration!
Working with such brilliant researchers has been truly inspiring.
“Timing matters for interactive task-based learning:
Effects of vocabulary practice on learning multiword expressions and neural synchronization”
— Yuichi Suzuki, Takayuki Nozawa, Takumi Uchihara, Sachiko Nakamura, Atsuko Miyazaki, Hyeonjeong Jeong
Published in Studies in Second Language Acquisition (Cambridge University Press).
This interdisciplinary project represents a collaboration among Waseda University, Tohoku University, University of Toyama, The University of Tokyo, and Tamagawa University,
and was jointly press-released by these institutions.
Such collaborations across education, neuroscience, and engineering are crucial for advancing our understanding of how interactive learning and brain synchronization contribute to second language acquisition.
Press release 東北大学 Tohoku Univeristy
On October 3, 2025, Andrea Révész (UCL) and Hyeonjeong Jeong (Tohoku University) gave an invited talk entitled “Neurocognitive correlates of task-based production: Pausing in L2 speaking & writing” at the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.
We are pleased to announce that our lab member, Jiaxin Yan has been selected for the prestigious JSPS DC1 fellowship. We wish her continued success and look forward to seeing her future accomplishments!
On September 30, 2025, Hyeonjeong Jeong (Tohoku University) gave two invited lectures at Kyung Hee University.
The first talk, “Language Acquisition Mechanisms and Language Education: A Neuroscientific Approach,” was delivered at the Department of Korean Language and Culture.
The second lecture, “Neuroscience and Foreign Language Education,” was part of a special pedagogical seminar organized by the Institute for Teaching and Learning Development at Kyung Hee University.
Jiaxin Yan successfully completed her Master’s degree! During her Master’s course, she worked tirelessly, dedicating her time and effort without hesitation. We are truly proud of all the hard work and growth she has shown. As she now moves forward into the PhD program, we wish her continued success and further growth in her research journey. Once again, congratulations, Jiaxin!
We are delighted to share that at ICON2025, my student Sunny (Hyoungsun Kim) ’s poster was selected as the Best Presentation among 540 posters. This is a tremendous honor, and I am deeply grateful to Sunny for putting together such an excellent piece of research. Sunny did a fantastic job—congratulations!
I had the pleasure of co-organizing and presenting at a symposium at ICON 2025 – International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (Porto, Portugal, September 15–20, 2025).
On September 17 (9:00–10:45), together with Piia Astikainen (University of Jyväskylä), I co-organized the symposium “Language & Music III SY41: Social and Embodied Language Learning.”
The symposium included the following presentations:
Hyeonjeong Jeong (Tohoku University): How Social Experiences Shape the Bilingual Brain: fMRI Studies of L2 Learning
Xueqiao Li & Piia Astikainen (University of Jyväskylä): Phonetic and Word Learning in Adulthood: Effects of Social Interaction and Audiovisual Input
Ana Zappa (University of Barcelona): How Social Cues Shape Second Language Learning: Evidence from Pupillometry, EEG, and Eye-Tracking
Gal Rozic & Gabriella Vigliocco (University College London): Learning Abstract Concepts in Social Interaction: An Investigation of Behavioural and Brain Dynamics
It was a wonderful experience to exchange ideas, receive thoughtful feedback, and engage in inspiring discussions on social interaction and embodied language learning, which provided valuable insights for our future research.
Our lab presented four posters at ICON 2025 – International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience (Porto, Portugal, September 15–20, 2025), highlighting our research on the neural basis of language, emotion, and second language learning.
Poster Presentations:
Are You Heartbroken or Devastated? Distinct Neural Substrates of Visceral Expressions of Emotion and General Emotion Labels
Hyoungsun Kim, Motoaki Sugiura, Hyeonjeong Jeong
Prosody Meets Context: fMRI Evidence of Intention Comprehension in Second Language Learners
Victoria-Anne Flood, Motoaki Sugiura, Hyeonjeong Jeong
Interpreting Sentences While Whispering ‘da ba ga da’: An fMRI Study of Plausibility-Based Processing under Phonological Loop Load
Rei Emura, Hyeonjeong Jeong, Yousuke Kawachi, Ryuya Komuro, Masatoshi Koizumi
Neural Correlates of Predictive Processing of Word Order and Thematic Roles in Korean Sentence Comprehension: An fMRI Study
Hyeonjeong Jeong, Juno Baik, Yunju Nam, Sun-Young Lee, Youngjoo Kim
Everyone delivered excellent presentations. These poster sessions offered valuable opportunities to share our findings, engage in stimulating discussions, and receive constructive feedback from an international community of cognitive neuroscience researchers.
The 89th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association took place in Sendai this year, and our lab had the opportunity to present one of our studies with the support of cogNAG. With so many exciting talks covering a wide range of topics in cognition and psychology, it was a truly inspiring and stimulating experience.
Jiaxin Yan (M2), Victoria-Anne Flood, Motoaki Sugiura, & Hyeonjeong Jeong, Individual Differences in Gesture-Enhanced Second Language Comprehension: The Neural Role of Problem-Solving, the 89th Annual Convention of the Japanese Psychological Association, Sendai, Tohoku Gakuin University, Japan, September 5-7, 2025
Celebrating the End of the First Semester – Well Done, Everyone!
We’ve just wrapped up our final Jeong Lab seminar for the first semester! Each of you worked hard in your own way, and we’re proud of all the progress made over the past few months.
To celebrate the successful end of the semester and everyone’s accomplishments, we enjoyed some pizza and a little toast with drinks. It was a well-deserved moment of recognition and relaxation.
As we head into the summer break, take this time to recharge, reflect, and strengthen any areas you felt were lacking. Let’s come back refreshed and ready to begin the second semester together.
Summer is expected to be a hot—and possibly very busy—season, but don’t forget to take care of yourselves along the way. Wishing everyone a healthy, productive, and inspiring break. See you in the fall!
We are delighted to share that Dr. Chunlin Liu, who completed her PhD in our lab last year and is now continuing her research as a member of CogNAC, has been awarded the KAKENHI Start-up Research Grant. This competitive funding supports early-career researchers as they establish independent research programs. We look forward to seeing her future contributions to the field and wish her continued success in her research endeavors.
On July 30 and 31, Tohoku University held its annual Open Campus event. Although primarily designed for high school students, the Cognitive Neuroscience Application Center hosted a special program showcasing our research activities, including a tour of the MRI facilities and demonstrations of ongoing experiments. Jeong Lab also contributed with a poster exhibition. We sincerely thank all the lab members who helped organize and run the event.
In conjunction with the Open Campus, the Graduate School of International Cultural Studies held its annual graduate student presentation sessions. This event offers students an opportunity to present their research plans and progress to peers and faculty.
From our team, the following members gave excellent presentations:
Haoying YANG (M1) and Wendy LAM (M1) presented their master research plans.
Yuto AKI (M2) presented the progress of his master’s thesis.
Jiaxin YAN (M2) gave a final report on her completed master’s thesis.
Qiang HUANG (D2) presented the mid-stage progress of his doctoral dissertation.
Everyone did a wonderful job. We look forward to seeing even more progress in your future work!
Two members of our lab gave oral presentations at the 2025 annual meeting of the Japanese Society for Language Sciences (JSLS), held at Ehime University in Matsuyama on July 12–13.
Qiang Huang (D2) , Yuto Aki, Daiko Takahashi, Motoaki Sugiura, & Hyeonjeong Jeong, Neural Correlates of Cross-Linguistic Syntactic Priming in Sentence Production: Evidence from Chinese-Japanese Bilinguals, The Japanese Society for Language Sciences (JSLS), Matsuyama, Ehime University, Japan, July 12–13, 2025
Jiaxin Yan (M2), Victoria-Anne Flood, Motoaki Sugiura, & Hyeonjeong Jeong, How Gestures Facilitate Second Language Acquisition: A Neural Perspective, The Japanese Society for Language Sciences (JSLS), Matsuyama, Ehime University, Japan, July 12–13, 2025
JSLS provided an excellent opportunity for intensive academic exchange. Both students received valuable feedback and engaged in stimulating discussions. We are deeply grateful to the researchers who attended their presentations and offered insightful comments.
Jeong gave a plenary talk at the Korean Psycholinguistics Society, whose theme this year was “Re” – Human Brain in Psychology and Language. The event provided a valuable opportunity to engage in stimulating discussions with many Korean researchers across different subfields of psychology.
Two members of our lab, Sunny (D1) and Victoria-Anne (D2), presented their research on interoceptive language representation and second language prosody processing. Their presentations were well received by the audience and generated meaningful questions and feedback.
Best Presentation Award 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Sunny (Hyoungsun Kim) was honored with the Best Presentation Award among many excellent presentations, which was a wonderful recognition of her hard work and dedication. It was a truly rewarding experience to see their growth as emerging scholars and to witness their contributions being acknowledged by the broader academic community. Congratulations!
Hyoungsun Kim, Motoaki Sugiura, & Hyeonjeong Jeong, Embodied Emotion and Language: the Neural Substrates of Visceral Expressions of Emotion, 2025 Korean Psycholinguistics Society Annual Conference, Konkuk University, Seoul: Korea, July 3–4, 2025
Victoria-Anne Flood, Motoaki Sugiura, & Hyeonjeong Jeong, Neural Processing of Attitudinal Prosody During Second Language Sentence Comprehension, 2025 Korean Psycholinguistics Society Annual Conference, Konkuk University, Seoul: Korea, July 3–4, 2025
Yuto Aki, a second-year master’s student, presented his research at the 34th European Second Language Association Conference (EuroSLA 34), held at UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø from June 25 to 28, 2025. His presentation investigated the neural mechanisms underlying emotional expression in a second language using functional MRI. This study highlights the cognitive and affective challenges L2 speakers face in conveying emotions and lays the groundwork for future research on how individual differences may support more effective emotional communication in multilingual contexts.
In addition, a collaborative project co-led by Professor Andrea Revesz (UCL) and Professor Hyeonjeong Jeong (Tohoku University) was also presented at EuroSLA 34. This pioneering study introduced an fMRI paradigm in which participants engaged in second language writing tasks inside the scanner for the first time. The findings explored how neurocognitive processes vary depending on pause location during L2 writing, offering novel insights into the cognitive demands of multilingual written production.
Yuto Aki, Satsuki Kurokawa, Takumi Uchihara, Motoaki Sugiura, & Hyeonjeong Jeong. Why is it challenging to express emotions in a second language? Insights from fMRI. Paper presented at the 34th European Second Language Association Conference (EuroSLA 34), UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. June 25–28, 2025.
Andrea Revesz, Hyeonjeong Jeong, Yuyong Liu, Tsubasa Otsuki, Xin Rong, Ting Zeng, Hiroyuki Takahasi, & Motoaki Sugiura. Do neurocognitive processes differ by pause location during L2 writing? Paper presented at the 34th European Second Language Association Conference (EuroSLA 34), UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway. June 25–28, 2025.
Jiaxin Yan, a second-year master’s student, presented her research at the annual meeting of the Organisation for Human Brain Mapping (OHBM), held in Brisbane from June 24 to 28. Her presentation, titled “Beyond Words: How Gestures Shape Speech Comprehension and Retention in the Bilingual Brain,” explored the role of gestures in bilingual speech processing. This study represents a rare investigation into the neural effects of gestures during L2 speech comprehension, offering new insights into how nonverbal cues support language understanding in the bilingual brain.
Jiaxin Yan, Victoria-Anne Flood, Motoaki Sugiura, & Hyeonjeong Jeong, Beyond Words: How Gestures Shape Speech Comprehension and Retention in the Bilingual Brain, Organization for Human Brain Mapping, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, June 24-28, 2025
27th Human Neuroscience Seminar (June 13): How Do We Study Language—The Potential of fMRI
We were honored to host Dr. Andrew Lee (Associate Professor, Université Laval, Canada) as the invited speaker for the 27th Human Neuroscience Seminar. His insightful talk, "Exploring Methodological Pluralism in Second Language Speech Research," offered a comprehensive perspective on integrating biological, cognitive, and classroom-based approaches in L2 speech studies. The seminar stimulated engaging discussion and provided valuable insights into interdisciplinary methodology.
In addition, our team members Huang Qiang and Chunlin Liu also presented their ongoing research, contributing further to the vibrant academic exchange.
https://hubs.idac.tohoku.ac.jp/eng/news/detail.php?d=S0ksSczLtzUxMQYA
Emotion and Memory in the Brain: Multimodal Insights from Language, Gesture, and Psychophysiology —International Academic Exchange: Tohoku University × University of Jyväskylä—
Date– May 16, 2025
Venue 3rd Floor, Department of Human Brain Science, Smart-Aging Center, Seiryo Campus, Tohoku University
Program Details
https://hubs.idac.tohoku.ac.jp/eng/news/detail.php?d=S0ksSczLtzUxtgAA
We held an interdisciplinary seminar exploring how language, gesture, and physiological signals contribute to emotion and memory, with two guest speakers, Dr. Xueqiao Li and Dr. Weiyong Xu from the University of Jyväskylä. It was a stimulating time full of learning and new insights!
Excellent student presentations by Hyoungsun Kim (D1) and Jiaxin Yan (M2) showcased how emotion and gesture shape communication and memory.
Dr. Xueqiao Li led a hands-on workshop: "Accessing Emotion in a Laboratory Setting: EDA, Facial EMG, and Self-Reports"
Dr. Weiyong Xu delivered an invited talk: "Neural Correlates of Retrospective Memory Confidence during Face–Name Associative Learning"
—featuring innovative methods and analyses.
Thank you to all participants for making it a successful and engaging event!
From April to May, Dr. Xueqiao Li from the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) will be staying in our lab for two months. To mark the beginning of her stay, we held a special kick-off talk featuring her research.
Speaker: Dr. Xueqiao Li
Title: Depressive symptoms and depressed mood affect cognitive processing of emotional information: evidence from psychophysiological and behavioral studies
https://www.jyu.fi/en/people/xueqiao-li
We truly enjoyed the opportunity to engage with such an inspiring researcher.
Yuto Aki, a first-year master's student, gave a presentation at AAAL2025 in Denver, USA.
Yuto Aki, Takumi Uchihara, Motoaki Sugiura, Hyeonjeong Jeong, How Language Shapes Emotion in First and Second Language Contexts: Behavioral and fMRI Approaches, American Association for Applied Linguistics, Denver, USA, March 22-25, 2025
On March 10th, we had a special event (Data Science Cafe) where researchers from various fields—including neuroscience, language acquisition, education, and data science—came together through the collaboration between the International Joint Graduate Program in Data Science and the Cognitive Neuroscience Application Center (CogNAC).
In the field of language education, we had a talk by Professor Andrea Revesz from UCL, while Professor Motoaki Sugiura presented from the perspective of neuroscience. My PhD student, Hyoungsun Kim (D1), also gave a presentation. In addition to these, there were many other fascinating talks from researchers across different disciplines, making the event incredibly stimulating. It was inspiring to see how various fields are interconnected.
It was a fantastic event, with a beautiful venue in the information science building. The fact that we had meals together, both during the day and in the evening, created a great atmosphere for discussions beyond the presentations. Looking forward to more events like this!
What is language communication ability (25th Human Brain Science Seminar)
We had a very engaging and successful discussion on language communication skills and methods to measure them, which included a presentation by UCL Professor Andrea Revesz.
At our graduate school's annual event, students had the opportunity to present their ongoing research and future directions in what are known as "title presentations." This year, four students from our lab delivered insightful presentations, highlighting the scope and potential impact of their Master's and Doctoral thesis research. Their work was highly acclaimed, reflecting both the depth of their studies and their dedication to advancing the field. We encourage all students to continue honing their diverse skills and to strive for excellence in their research endeavors.
🔹 The Role of Gesture in Second Language Acquisition: An fMRI Study
Jaxin Yan (M2)
🔹 Mapping Visceral Language in the Interoceptive Cortex: An fMRI Study
Hyoungsun Kim (D1)
🔹 A Neuroimaging Study of Prosodic Intention in the Second Language
Victoria Anne Flood (D2)
🔹 The Impact of Syllable Perception Training on Bottom-Up Listening Skills: A Comparative Study of Word-Level and Thought-Group-Level Instructions
He Min (D3)
We look forward to seeing the continued progress and achievements of our students in the coming years!
Wonderful news! Our collaborative fMRI research, titled “The crucial role of the left inferior frontal gyrus (BA44) in synergizing syntactic structure and information structure during sentence comprehension,” has been accepted for publication in Brain and Language. Authored by Hyeonjeong Jeong, Jungho Kim, Masataka Yano, Haining Cui, Sachiko Kiayama, and Masatoshi Koizumi.
This study explores how the brain integrates syntactic and information structures during sentence comprehension, focusing on Japanese sentences with different word orders (SOV and OSV). The findings highlight the pivotal role of the left inferior frontal gyrus (BA44) in coordinating these processes. Special congratulations to the entire team for this achievement, and sincere thanks to Professor Masatoshi Koizumi for his exceptional leadership throughout this groundbreaking project.
We are pleased to announce that our lab member, Huang Quang has been selected for the prestigious JSPS DC2 fellowship. We wish his continued success and look forward to seeing his future accomplishments!
We are thrilled to announce that the international collaborative project, titled "AI-Based Analysis of Multilingual Adults and Children with Diverse Neurocognitive Profiles," has been awarded the prestigious British Council’s UK-ISPF Grant for 2024/2025 (£100k).
This interdisciplinary project brings together leading experts in engineering, neuroscience, and education from the UK and Japan, aiming to advance our understanding of multilingualism and neurocognitive diversity through cutting-edge AI-based analysis.
Project Leaders:
PI: Kazuya Saito (University College London)
CIs:
Andrea Revesz (University College London
Adam Tierney (Birkbeck, University of London)
Nobu Minematsu (University of Tokyo)
Motoaki Sugiura (Tohoku University)
Hyeonjeong Jeong (Tohoku University)
Takumi Uchihara (Tohoku University)
We are excited about the potential of this collaboration to pave the way for innovative insights into multilingualism and neurocognitive diversity.
We are thrilled to announce the successful award of the TOEFL COE 2025 Research Program grant for our collaborative project between Tohoku University, Japan, and University College London, UK.
Led by:
Prof. Andrea Révész (Principal Investigator, University College London)
Prof. Sathena Chan (Co-PI, University of Bedfordshire)
Prof. Hyeonjeong Jeong (Co-PI, Tohoku University)
Prof. Motoaki Sugiura (Co-PI, Tohoku University)
This groundbreaking study explores the cognitive and neuro-mechanisms underlying writing behaviors in second language learners. The project focuses on the TOEFL iBT Writing section, employing cutting-edge methodologies such as neuroimaging, eye-tracking, and keystroke-logging. By integrating applied linguistics and cognitive neuroscience, it aims to uncover the cognitive processes involved in second language writing, providing new insights into test validation and language learning. This ambitious research tackles a novel and challenging topic, offering a unique opportunity to advance scientific knowledge and foster innovative applications in language education.
We are pleased to have hosted the 23rd Human Neuroscience Seminar, which focused on the neural basis of language communication and the significance of language learning through social interaction, explored from the perspective of neuroscience. This seminar featured a special guest, Professor Piia Astikainen from the Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, who presented her latest research findings. It was a highly meaningful and productive event where we discussed the directions and possibilities of future research.
Our esteemed collaborator, Professor Piia Astikainen from the University of Jyväskylä, has arrived at Tohoku University for a 20-day visit. Her first talk, held today, was met with great enthusiasm and sparked lively discussions.
My team completed each presentation at the conference. # SNL2024 https://www.neurolang.org/2024/
Neural Correlates of Deep Comprehension of Second Language Reading: Focus on Retrieval Practice (Jeong et al.)
The Impact of Conversational Eyebrow Movements on Intention Recognition: An fMRI Study (D1 Liu, Yuyong et al.)
Cross-linguistic Syntactic Priming in Chinese-Japanese Bilinguals During Sentence Production: An fMRI Study (D1 Huang, Qiang et al.)
How Language Shapes Emotion: An fMRI Study of Emotion Verbalization in First and Second Languages (M1 Aki, Yuto et al.)
Role of Gesture in Second Language Comprehension: An fMRI Study (M2 Yan, Jiaxin et al.)
Exploring Brain Activity and Multimodal Input: Effects on First and Second Language Learning and the Role of Working Memory (Kajiura et al.)
The fall semester has started, and Kim Hyoung Sun has joined the team as a D1 from October. Let's do our best in the second semester as well!
We had a simple welcome party today.
We are pleased to announce that our lab member, Victoria-Anne Flood, has been selected for the prestigious JSPS DC fellowship. We wish her continued success and look forward to seeing her future accomplishments!
Congratulations to Chunlin on earning a PhD on September 25! Chunlin was selected for the Professor Fujino Incentive Award 2024. The ceremony is featured on the website. Congratulations again! From October 1, Chunlin also began a new chapter as a postdoctoral researcher at Tohoku University Cognitive Neuroscience Application Center. We support her continued development and growth.
The collaborative work between TOHOKU and UCL on second language acquisition and neuroscience has finally been published! This paper truly couldn’t have been accomplished without interdisciplinary collaboration, and it holds a special place in my heart, given the effort I put into it. I hope many people will read it and discover more about the potential of neuroscience.
Revesz A, Jeong H, Suzuki S, Cui H, Matsuura S, Saito K, Sugiura M (2024). Task-generated Processes in Second Language Speech Production: Exploring the Neural Correlates of Task Complexity during Silent Pauses, Studies in Second Language Acquisition. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263124000421
Innovation in Linguistics
This study is the first to explore how the brain engages in cognitive processing during natural speech production using a new approach that combines linguistics and neuroscience. One of the most intriguing findings is that the brain's cognitive processes change depending on where pauses occur during speech.
Visualizing Cognitive Changes in Challenging Situations like Disasters and L2 Use
This research is the first to explore how language behavior and decision-making during disasters are affected by language use and task difficulty. By analyzing natural speech with fMRI rather than traditional surveys, the study uncovers how the brain's cognitive processes adapt in realistic disaster scenarios.
Our team will present six research topics at the 16th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Neurobiology of Language, October 24-26 in Brisbane, Australia. Each member is working hard in preparation—please look forward to it! SNL2024 https://www.neurolang.org/2024/
Neural Correlates of Deep Comprehension of Second Language Reading: Focus on Retrieval Practice (Jeong et al.)
The Impact of Conversational Eyebrow Movements on Intention Recognition: An fMRI Study (D1 Liu, Yuyong et al.)
Cross-linguistic Syntactic Priming in Chinese-Japanese Bilinguals During Sentence Production: An fMRI Study (D1 Huang, Qiang et al.)
How Language Shapes Emotion: An fMRI Study of Emotion Verbalization in First and Second Languages (M1 Aki, Yuto et al.)
Role of Gesture in Second Language Comprehension: An fMRI Study (M1 Yan, Jiaxin et al.)
Exploring Brain Activity and Multimodal Input: Effects on First and Second Language Learning and the Role of Working Memory (Kajiura et al.)
On June 6-14, 2024, I participated as a keynote speaker at a conference (Brains and Bodies in Social Interaction, Learning and Wellbeing) held at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. I am grateful to my co-researcher, Professor Piia Astikainen, for the invitation, and I also appreciate the help from her lab members. The conference featured the latest research on social interaction, brain synchronization, and body and brain coupling, all of which were incredibly inspiring. I was also impressed by the research capabilities and the excellent facilities at the University of Jyväskylä.
Wonderful news. Our collaborative fMRI research with UCL-TOHOKU, titled “Task-generated processes in second language speech production: Exploring the neural correlates of task complexity during silent pauses in speech production,” with Andrea Revesz, has been accepted by the journal Studies in Second Language Acquisition. This study is the first to use fMRI for spontaneous speech production. I am thrilled because it demonstrates that such research can indeed be conducted using fMRI. I will share the PDF of the paper once it is available.
We spent two intense days with Dr. Francesca M.M. Citron from Lancaster University, thanks to her stimulating talks and discussions with students.
The first day featured her as a speaker in the Colloquium Series at GSICS, followed by an informal meeting with the students in my seminar. Yuto Aki (M1) and Jiaxin Yan (M1) shared their current ideas!
The second day involved a seminar in the Department of Human Brain Science. Including Chunlin Liu (D3) 's presentation, our discussions on emotion, music, and language covered cultural impacts and emotional insights. Having a great time discussing research—it’s the best!
Exciting News! Our member Diego Dardon has embarked on his research journey in a new academic setting today, taking on the role of a tenure-track lecturer at Miyagi University of Education. We wish him even greater success in his research pursuits.
In addition, we welcome two new graduate students to our team: Qiang Huang as a D1, and Yuto Aki as an M1. With these new additions, there's no doubt that our team will grow even stronger and more dynamic.
Tohoku University has conducted various interdisciplinary studies in the field of applied brain sciences. With the expectation of further advancing our cognitive neuroscience research, we established the Cognitive Neuroscience Application Center (CogNAC) in April 2024. Researchers from diverse fields at our university will collaborate to unravel the complexities of human cognition. Through the activities of this center, we are committed to leading graduate education and supporting early-career researchers. I have been appointed as the vice director of this center and am dedicated to giving my utmost effort.
Tohoku cogNAC:https://cognac.tohoku.ac.jp/
We hosted an international joint seminar with Dr. Say Young Kim from Hanyang University, Korea. The event featured vibrant discussions on experimental methods to investigate linguistic issues. The engagement continued to flourish at the reception. Seminars that enable in-depth discussions like these are truly invaluable.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Professor Kim for his insightful lecture.
We're excited to share a significant milestone in neuroscience and linguistics: the completion of the first-ever study on brain activity during English writing, achieved with a unique fMRI-compatible keyboard. This endeavor, realized in March in collaboration with University College London (UCL), opens new doors to understanding the cognitive processes behind writing.
The swift completion of this groundbreaking experiment in just one month was made possible by the invaluable support of our members and the dedication of skilled participants proficient in touch-typing and in English as a second language (L2). Now, as we proceed to analyze the data, we look forward to uncovering insights that will deepen our understanding of the brain's linguistic capabilities.
We presented joint research with Dr. Yuichi Suzuki from Kanagawa University at AAAL 2024. The study used fMRI to investigate the automatization of grammatical form learning through speech output practice.
Jeong, H., Suzuki, Y., Liu,C., Sugiura, M. Explicit learning and beyond: Neural evidence for automatization in L2 grammar acquisition, American Association for Applied Linguistics, Houston, the U.S. March 2024.
Ikeda, S., Jeong, H., Sasaki, Y., Sakaki, K., Yamazaki, S., Nozawa, T. & Kawashina, R. Predicting conversational satisfaction of face-to-face conversation through interpersonal similarity in resting-state functional connectivity. Sci Rep 14, 6015 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56718-7
Our latest research, a collaborative effort by Dr Ikeda (first author) and Professor Nozawa of Toyama University, reveals that conversational satisfaction between two people meeting for the first time can be predicted by examining their brain activity patterns before they even speak. Using advanced brain imaging (fMRI) to analyze resting-state functional connectivity, we've found that similarities in brain function are strong indicators of how well a conversation will go. This breakthrough offers new neuroscientific insights into the underpinnings of human relationships, suggesting the intriguing possibility that our neural wiring may predestine the success of face-to-face interactions.
Chunlin Liu^, Hyeonjeong Jeong*, Haining Cui^, Jean-Marc Dewaele, Kiyo Okamoto^, Yuichi Suzuki, Motoaki Sugiura (2024) Effects of social interactions on the neural representation of emotional words in late bilinguals, Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience ( * corresponding author) ( ^ supervised student)
: The study demonstrates that later L2 learners, by using the language socially, increasingly involve emotion-related brain areas when processing emotional words in a second language, highlighting the importance of social interaction in the acquisition of emotional vocabulary.
As a top 10% journal, we received "Open Access" support from Tohoku University. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23273798.2024.2307630
2024.01.25-26 Graduate School Event
At the annual event hosted by our graduate school, there were presentations where students outlined their current research preparations and discussed future prospects, known as "title presentations." Three students from our lab delivered these title presentations, showcasing the scope and potential directions of their Master's and Doctoral thesis work. They were exceptionally well-received. I encourage you to continue refining your diverse skills and to strive for success in your research projects.
The Role of Gestures in Understanding Figurative Discourse in Second Language: An fMRI study by Jaxin Yan (M1)
A Neuroimaging Study of Prosodic Cues in the Second Language by Victoria Anne Flood (D1)
The Foreign Language Effect in Moral Decision-Making: Exploring Influences, Factors, and its Mechanism by Yichuan Huang (D2)
2024.01.16 Paper Accepted
I am very happy to announce that my supervised PhD student Chunlin Liu's paper has been accepted for publication in the international journal, Language, Cognition, and Neuroscience, which is wonderful news for the start of 2024. The title is "Effects of social interactions on the neural representation of emotional words in late bilinguals".
The journey to this achievement involved three rounds of revisions and considerable effort in addressing the feedback from rigorous reviewers. However, this challenging process ultimately enhanced the quality of the paper. The insightful comments from the reviewers not only improved the paper but also provided an invaluable learning experience. I sincerely thank the reviewers whose comments on our paper were insightful and constructive.
I am incredibly proud of Chunlin's accomplishments. You have done a great job, Chunlin, and this is a remarkable beginning to what I am confident will be a distinguished research career. Congratulations on your publication in such a renowned international journal. I eagerly anticipate following your future progress.
2024.01.05 Happy New Year!
We celebrated the New Year together. Wishing everyone a wonderful new year!!
Additionally, we had a farewell party for one of our members, Chunlin, embarking on a 3-month internship at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. We eagerly anticipate her achievements during this brief yet significant period.
Goals for This Year:
Re-start Journal Club and study hard all the time.
Implement the plan effectively.
Each member should aim to write a paper as the lead author.
2023.12.22
Today marked our last seminar of the year. It's been a joyful journey conducting research together this year. I am grateful for all the memories we've created and the progress we've made. Let's continue to make a fantastic team in the coming year.
Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year!
2023.12. Publishing Book Chapter
Chapter 16
Neurocognition of Social Learning of Second Language
How Can Second Language be Learned as First Language?
By Hyeonjeong Jeong, Ping Li
The Routledge Handbook of Second Language Acquisition and Neurolinguistics is an excellent book that has just been published. It covers a wide range of topics in second language acquisition from a neuroscientific perspective.
I am honored to have contributed to Chapter 16 in this significant publication.
2023.11.27-11.28 Distinguished Lecture
I delivered an invited talk at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), where I introduced my previous fMRI research on social interaction. The warm welcome and the lively discussion with researchers and students greatly inspired me.
2023. 10.24-10.26 Presentations at International Conference
Three members from our laboratory presented recent findings at the Society for Neurobiology of Language 2023 conference in Marseille, France.
Highlights of our team's work presented at #SNL2023
"The Rule Learning of Phonological-Based Linguistic Categories: An fMRI Study" by Diego Dardon
"Neural Mechanisms of Attitudinal Prosody Perception in a Second Language: An fMRI Study" by Victoria-Anne Flood.
"The Effect of Emotional Facial Expressions on Second Language Emotional Vocabulary Acquisition: An fMRI Study" by Chunlin Liu.
2023. 7.6-8 Presentations at International Conference
Victoria-Anne and Diego presented their studies at the Joint International Conference on English Language Teaching (ELT) in Korea, held at Konkuk University, Seoul.
"Dissociating the Roles of Working Memory and Language Aptitude during L2 Learning: An fMRI Study" by Diego Elisandro Dardon, Motoaki Sugiura, Hyeonjeong Jeong,
"How Do Second Language Learners Process Attitudinal Prosody?" by Victoria-Anne Flood, Hyeonjeong Jeong
We visited Professor Kim SayYoung at Hanyang University, presented our latest research findings at the Hanyang Institute for Phonetics and Cognitive Sciences Of Language (HOPCS), and engaged with the lab members.
Presentations included:
'Brain Mechanisms for Decoding Attitudinal Prosody in Second Language' by Victoria-Anne Flood
'Neural Correlates of Learning Nominal Classification Rules: An fMRI Study' by Diego Elisandro Dardon."
We presented our recent research at the American Association for Applied Linguistics (AAAL) conference in Portland, Oregon, U.S., from March 17th to 21st, 2023. AAAL 2023 Conference
Our presentations included:
'Social Interaction Enhances Second Language Emotionality in the Brain: An fMRI Study' by Chunlin Liu et al., as a paper presentation.
'Neural Mechanisms of Spontaneous Speech in Disasters' by Jeong et al., in collaboration with Professor Révész (UCL), presented in the Invited Colloquia.
'The Effect of Speaker’s Face on Brain Mechanisms During Second Language Shadowing: An fMRI Study' by Jeong et al., in collaboration with Professor Shuhei Kadota (Kwansei Gakuin University), as a paper presentation
