Evidence of cortical reorganization of language networks after stroke with subacute Broca's aphasia:a blood oxygenation level dependent-functional magnetic resonance imaging study

Aphasia is an acquired language disorder that is a common consequence of stroke.The pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood,and as a result,current treatment options are not satisfactory.Here,we used blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate the activation of bilateral cortices in patients with Broca＇s aphasia 1 to 3 months after stroke.Our results showed that language expression was associated with multiple brain regions in which the right hemisphere participated in the generation of language.The activation areas in the left hemisphere of aphasia patients were significantly smaller compared with those in healthy adults.The activation frequency,volumes,and intensity in the regions related to language,such as the left inferior frontal gyrus（Broca＇s area）,the left superior temporal gyrus,and the right inferior frontal gyrus（the mirror region of Broca＇s area）,were lower in patients compared with healthy adults.In contrast,activation in the right superior temporal gyrus,the bilateral superior parietal lobule,and the left inferior temporal gyrus was stronger in patients compared with healthy controls.These results suggest that the right inferior frontal gyrus plays a role in the recovery of language function in the subacute stage of stroke-related aphasia by increasing the engagement of related brain areas.

Effects of Study-Abroad Experiences on Chinese Students’ L2 Learning Activities and Study-Abroad Motivations

This study explores how overseas exchange opportunities might influence Chinese students ’engagement in L2 learning activities and how far such opportunities may satisfy their motivation to study abroad. The analysis of the data, collected and filtered from carefully designed questionnaires and interviews, showed that students ’ L2 learning activities and study-abroad motivations underwent changes after their overseas experiences. Regarding the former, the overseas environment was the cause of the change because it provided students with more chances to talk with native speakers and increased the frequency of their using L2 in their daily life. Regarding the latter, the decline of the students ’ major study-abroad motivations was partly because they tended to treat L2 learning as a tool for realizing other goals and partly because the students had got other important motivations. In view of these findings, suggestions were raised to help future students get better prepared for their overseas study or short-term exchange life.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A BALANCED READING INSTRUCTION IN TAIWAN

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of the balanced reading program on the elementary school students in Taiwan. The participants were 36 fifth graders in Taiwan. The researchers chose suitable picture books as teaching materials and made use of them to design a balanced reading program. The program combines the ideas of whole language and phonics rules. Whole-part-whole structure was used in the teaching process. The teaching of the balanced reading program lasted for nine weeks. The questionnaire of learning feedbacks, the questionnaire of reading activities, the teacher's journal, interviews with teachers and students were used to gather data. Six facts were found after the analysis of the data: (1) Among the picture books, 'Seven Blind Mice' and 'Snow' were chosen by the students as their favorite. (2) Most students liked the reading activities for this semester. (3) The students made progress in reading ability and reading techniques. (4) The frequency of the students' reading English storybooks increased. (5) Most students were willing to read English storybooks after the program. (6) The table of self-evaluation didn't work well. Some suggestions have been provided according to the findings.