Second
Language
Acquisition
Processes and
Theories
Jim Cummins
Theory 1: BICS- Basic
Interpersonal Communicative
Skills - A student picks up
fluency and phenology of the
English language fairly quickly.
Classroom Application:
Students who do not speak
English will pick up
communication skills from
conversation between
him/her and classmates
and/or myself.
Theory 2: CALP- Cognitive
Academic Language
Proficiency- It can take a
student 5-7 years to reach
academic language proficiency
such as catching up in reading
skills and writing skills in the
English language.
Classroom Application: I
will have the students
read extensively. When I
have the kids wanting to
read they will have access
to the kind of language
they need for academic
success. Reading and
writing are both critical
parts to learning the
language academically.
Noam Chomsky
Theory: Universal Grammar- All human
language rests on building blocks of
expression that can have their own
unique features, but they all use verbs,
nouns, and adjectives.
Classroom Application: I will focus on the
importance of verbs, nouns, and adjectives in
class especially for students who do not know
English well.
Stephen Krashen
Theory:-All students learn language in
the same way. -We acquire language in
one way and only one way when we
understand messages- comprehensible
input. Talking is not practicing.
Classroom Application:
When I have students that
speak a different language I
will help students
understand English by
incorporating
pictures/drawings in the
lecture.
Theory: The Affective Filter
Hypothesis- A barrier that prevents
students from absorbing the target
language and from taking risks in it. If
a student is bored, confused, or
anxious, then the student doesn't
absorb the teacher's input. If the
student is comfortable, relaxed, and
motivated, the students will absorb
more of the teacher's linguistic input.
Classroom
Application: If I
explain the
assignment in depth
and give an example
of the assignment as
well, I will be
lowering the
affective filter and
creating a more
comfortable learning
environment for the
students.
Eric Lenneberg
Theory: Critical Period Hypothesis-
Second language is best learned
between the age of 2 and puberty.
The ability to learn language is
negatively affected by the
completion process of lateralization
(when each side of the brain develops
its own specialized functions) which
is completed by puberty.
Classroom
Application: A
teacher in a younger
classroom setting
(before the students
reach puberty) will
be able to
incorporate a second
language for the
students; doing so
will allow the
students to truly
learn the second
language.