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Language Learning Theories

jkinchler English

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Cognitive Language Acquisition
- Change in Knowledge
  - "Nothing" to "Something"
  - Build Ties between New & Learned
- Jean Piaget
- Language reflects thought process
  - Through Interactions with other People
    - Develops Gradually as Child goes thru Stages
      - Sensorimotor
        Physical Objects
        Motor Skills
      - Preoperational
        Forms Words
        Concept of Time & Space
        Symbols & Shapes
      - Concrete Operations
        Group things in Logical order
        Convey own Ideas & Views
      - Formal Operations
        Logical Reasoning
        Communicating in an Adult Manner
Behaviorist Theory
- B. F. Skinner
- All Behavior is Viewed as a Response to Stimuli
  - Rewards
    - Habit Forming
    - Treats
  - Reinforcement
    - Negative
      - Punishments
    - Positive
      - "Great Effort Sophie!"
      - Praise
  - Corrections
    - No Explanations
- Environment changes Learner's Behavior
  - Observation
  - Imitation
Acculturation Theory
- John Schumann
- Immigrants Want to Be Part of New Country's Culture
  - Share different aspects of culture with class
    - Holidays
    - Food
    - Rituals
    - Traditions
  - Social Factors Affecting Rate of Language Acquisition
    - Socialization
    - Motivation
    - Attitude
    - Culture Shock
  - Key Factors of Success
    - Emotional Receptiveness
    - Willingness of Mainstream Culture to Accept Language Learners
Universal Grammar
- Noam Chomsky
- Born with basic grammar rules for language - "Prewired"
  - Naturally pickup language
  - Influenced by environment
- All Language Rests on Innate Building Blocks of Expression
  - Set of Rules for Correct Sentence Structure
    - Verbs
    - Nouns
    - Adjectives
- Competence not Performance
Conversation Theory
- Gordon Pask
- Learn Language thru Conversation / Talking
  - Scaffolding
    - Higher Proficiency Level Helps Lower Proficiency Speaker Keep Conversation Going
      - Rephrasing
      - Asking Questions
  - Negotiation of Meaning
    - Both Speakers Participate to the Best of Their Abilities
      - Must Understand What They are Talking About
      - Make Conversation Grow & Continue
Acquisition - Learning Hypothesis
- Stephen Krashen
- Language Acquisition
  - Implicit Knowledge & Acquired Language Competence
    - Passively Learned
    - Unconsciously Learned
    - Rely on Feelings of Correctness over Knowledge of Rules
    - Learned through Natural Communication
      - Conversations
      - Use Language in Authentic Situations
- Language Learning
  - Explicit & Formal Instruction
    - Actively Learned
    - Consciously Learned