5 SLA Theories

5 SLA Theories

1. Behaviorist Theory--B.F. Skinner

   • - Language is learned just like any other behavior.
     • - Children are motivated to learn language due to the reinforcement they receive.
       • - Learners need practice and repetition to learn the language.
         • Application: To teach students according to the Behaviorist Theory, a teacher should give little tokens as a reward to students who answer questions.
         • This pup is so excited about receiving his positive reinforcement!

2. Innatist Theory--Naom Chomsy

   • -Children are pre-wired to learn language.
   • -We all have Language Acquisition Devices (LADs) so we are predestined to learn language.
   • -Learners only need to be exposed to the language for LAD to take over.
   • Application: Teachers should teach students completely in the target language for students' LAD to be allowed to take over.
     • This dog's instincts, like LAD, take over when he hunts!

3. Cognitive Model--Piaget

   • -Children talk because there is something to talk about.
   • -Cognitive development comes before language development.
     • This pup apparently has something to talk about!
   • -Meaning of target words are important.
   • Application: Give students experiences inside the classroom to talk about it the target language! A good example of this would be showing a movie located in the culture of the target language the students are learning.

4. Social-Interaction Model--Lev Vygotsky

   • -This theory is all about language use and focuses on the communicative functions of language.
     • There are 7 categories of language used: instrumental, regulatory, interactional, personal, imaginative, heuristic, and informative.
   • Application: Use each type of language in class in order to appeal to all types of learners. You could have your students use personal language by creating a skit in the target language.
     • This dog owner is using regulatory language to control her dog.

5. Natural Approach--Steven Krashen

   • -Comprehensible input is all that is needed to acquire a second language.
     • -Learner acquires fluent speech in a natural way.
       • -A student's affective filter influences how quickly they will learn the language.
         • -The learner goes through a silent phase while receiving comprehensible input.
           • Application: Teach in the target language to allow students to learn naturally. Be exciting, use repetition, and gestures so that students' affective filters don't rise when they misunderstand you.
       • This dog is silently receiving comprehensible input! Maybe not very comprehensible to him...

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