First Language Acquisition

What the resources cover

The unit follows how children come to speak and write. The theory material is the most visible: the CLA Theories mind map sets out Skinner, Chomsky, Piaget, Bruner and Trevarthen, while separate maps cover nativism, behaviourist and innatist views. Other maps look at stages of development, including holophrastic, two-word, telegraphic and post-telegraphic speech.

Where to start

Begin with the mind map Child language acquisition. It uses the case of Genie and the nature-versus-nurture debate to frame the topic. Next, open Theories of Language Acquisition to compare Chomsky, Skinner and Vygotsky side by side. Then move to the topic maps on phonology, lexical and semantic development, pragmatic development and child-directed speech.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then try a quiz on the same topic. The AQA A2 English Language (B) quiz asks which phonological stages fall at 12 to 18 months, so it suits a check after the phonology maps. Language Acquisition and Learning_ Exam 1 tests wider theories of where language comes from. Note the questions you miss, then return to the matching map.

• Flashcards: the deck on key theorists in written language acquisition lists Kroll's four stages of children's writing.
• Notes: Language Acquisition AO1 sets out the stages by age, and Language Acquisition AO2 gives you a second angle for A-level English Language style answers.

Where it sits

First Language Acquisition belongs to the Language, Mind and Acquisition strand of Linguistics and philology. Some resources compare first and second language acquisition, which helps if you are moving between the two topics.

Next step

Choose one map that matches what you are studying today, work through it, and see how a quiz feels afterwards.