2nd Language Acquisition Theorists

2nd Language Acquisition Theorists

1. B.F. Skinner

   • Behaviorism
     • states that any human behavior can be learned through a process of stimulus, response, and positive or negative reinforcement
       • The object is to make the desired behavior become a habit, performed spntaneously
         • In the classroom, a teacher can use positive reinforcement by praising correct usage of grammar. This will motivate the student to continue to use correct grammar.

2. R.C. Anderson

   • Adaptive Control of Thought (ACT)
     • States that intelligence is the gathering together and fine-tuning many small units of knowledge that in total produce complex thinking
       • This theory seems to fit well with learning a second language as there are many components to learning a language, all of which take time to learn and produce a fluent speaker.

3. Sue Gass

   • Social Interaction
     • States that interaction facilitates learning of the second language
       • Teachers can support group activities and discussions to engage interactions

4. Steven Krasher

   • The Natural Approach
     • The learner acquires speech in a natural way and applies it to speech unconsciously
       • A monitor aids to correct inappropriate grammar
         • In the classroom, a teacher allows the student to naturally use acquired speech and helps to correct if needed

5. Leonard Bloomfield

   • Audiolingual Approach
     • Many Repetitions of the second language with positive and negative reinforcement
       • In a classroom, the teacher can ask the class to repeat words and phrases after she says them

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