Second Language Acquisition Theories

Second Language Acquisition Theories

1. Universal Grammar

   • Chromsky
   • Description: All languages have the same parts of speech that make it up
   • Classroom Application: When translating between languages, the teacher and student can compare different words to similar parts of speech within own native language.

2. Social Interactionism

   • Gass
   • Description: Learners use their linguistic environment to build their knowledge
   • Classroom application: The student requires immersion into desired language within the classroom to fully absorb the language

3. Input Hypothesis

   • Krashen
   • Description: how a learner acquires language
   • Classroom Application: The speaker models or illustrated different words or phrases to allow the learner to understand

4. Behaviorist

   • Skinner
   • Description: Someone can be taught through a process of stimulus, response, and reinforcement, becoming a habit
   • Classroom Application: Students who are continually exposed to the same conditioning, like within routines, will learn the desired skill through repetition.

5. Monitor Model

   • Krashen
   • Description: The learner natural acquires language through exposure and will become fluent and begin monitoring when and how to use the language through constant comprehensible input
   • Classroom Application: Through conversations within cooperative groups and activities, EL students will become fluent and able speakers of their second language.

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