SLA Theories and Processes

SLA Theories and Processes

1. Universal Grammar

   • Noam Chomsky
     • to learn grammar is hard wired to the brain
       • prescriptive, descriptive, pedagogical
         • human language

2. L1 VS L2 LEARNERS

   • Eric Lennenburg
     • L1 are learners who are babies and are beginning to learn a language
       • L2 are usually people who are learning another language than the first one they learned
         • constructed language from prior concept knowledge, so there are transferable things learners can use from their first language.
           • Be aware in classroom and know language background

3. Language as a System of Vocal Symbols

   • Ferdinand Saussure
     • founding father of modern analytics
       • language as a system - structures - units depend on position
         • In the classroom - reading, writing, naming

4. BICS VS. CALP

   • Jim Cummins
     • BICS - BASIC INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS (EX. Children talking to their neighbor during class)
       • CALP - COGNITIVE ACADEMIC LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY (EX. Academic situations)
         • Teacher's must not mistaken the two during classroom observations, because they are easily confused.

5. Input Hypothesis

   • Stephen Krashen
     • Affective Filter Hypothesis
       • barrier that absorbs children from learning language
         • The filter must go down for the children to learn the linguistic input from the teacher
           • The teacher must create a comfortable atmosphere for children. By providing direct instructions and examples is a great way to do this.

Images and files in the map