Theories and Research of Second Language Acquisition

Theories and Research of Second Language Acquisition

1. Behaviorism

   • The behaviorist theory predicted that any human behavior could be learned through a process of stimulus, response, and positive or negative reinforcement
   • B. F. Skinner
   • Reading: Use flash cards to memorize sight words. Math: Memorization By repetition.

2. Language Acquisition device (LAD)

   • A innate ability to acquire and use language
   • Linguist Noam Chomsky
   • The belief that acquisition lies at the heart of any method that involves engaging the learner in natural communication and authentic input, these include tack-based learning and some story-and activity-based programs.

3. Information Processing

   • Intelligence is simply the gathering together and fine-tuning of many small units of knowledge that in total produce complex thinking.
   • R.C. Anderson
   • 1. Gain the students' attention 2. Bring to mind relevant prior learning 3. Point out important information 4. Present information in an organized manner 5. Show students how to categorize related information 6. Provide opportunities for students to elaborate on new information 7. Show students how to use coding when memorizing lists 8. Provide for repetition of learning 9. Provide opportunities for overlearnign of fundamental concepts and skills

4. Social Interaction and Sociocultural Theories

   • Vygotsky
   • Focused on the language learning context and "how learners us their linguistic environment to build their knowledge of the second language.
   • Students work better in groups according to Vygotsky, so group projects from act all the way to presentations on the latest math systems learned are a great way to get kids learning.

5. The Communicative Approach

   • 1. An emphasis on learning to communicate through interaction in the target language. 2. The introduction of authentic texts into the learning situation... 3. An enhancement of the learner's own personal experiences as important contributing elements to classroom learning. 4. An attempt to link classroom language learning with language activities outside the classroom.
   • Social interactionist Theory
   • As the learners speak the L2, they receive feedback and that process helps them lean the language.

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