Second Language Acquisition

Second Language Acquisition

1. Input Hypothesis by Stephen Krashen

   • Repeating, adding volume, and filling in the blank, will not help one learn a new language
     • Picture, knowledge of the world, and so on help with comprehension
       • Words and language that they can relate to familiar situations and their speech will emerge over time
   • Talking is not practice
     • We acquire language in one way; when we understand what is being said through comprehensive input
       • Teach students one step ahead of where they already are. (i+1) i=language input, +1=the next stage of language acquisition

2. BICS vs. CALP by Jim Cummins

   • Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills
     • Conversational fluency
       • Students may seem to be proficient and fluent in a language while still struggling with gaps
         • Draw attention to vocabulary words in context
   • Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
     • Academic Language Understanding
       • Exercise students Discrete language skills (i.e decoding, listening abilities, social usage)
         • 5-7 years for EL student to reach grade level

3. Universal Grammar by Noam Chompsky

   • All human language rests on innate building blocks of expression
     • Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives
       • The ability to learn grammar is hardwired into the brain
         • Learned through listening and using the language

4. Threshold Hypothesis by Jim Cummins

   • There is a threshold ability level that needs to be reached in one language in order for a learner to succeed in another
     • Above threshold in L1 and L2
       • Additive bilingualism; Positive cognitive effects
     • Below threshold in L1 and L2
       • Positive bilingualism; negative cognitive effects
     • Above threshold in one language
       • Neutral cognitive effects

5. Age and Second Language Acquisition by Eric Lennenberg

   • Second Language (L2) is best learned between 2 yrs and puberty
     • Critical Period
       • Use same part of brain to store both languages (lateralization)
         • Lateralization complete around age 5
   • L2 learning is negatively affected by the completion of lateralization process
     • After, learners use a different part of the brain to store a new language

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