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Theories of First and Second Language Acquisition

This document discusses theories of first and second language acquisition. It defines first language as the language one learns first or native language, and second language as any additional language learned. Theories of first language acquisition discussed include behaviorism, nativism, and cognitive approach. Theories of second language acquisition discussed include Krashen's theory involving acquisition vs learning, natural order, input, and affective filter. The document also outlines the typical stages of second language acquisition process.

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Ma. Elena Abainza - Arambala
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1K views4 pages

Theories of First and Second Language Acquisition

This document discusses theories of first and second language acquisition. It defines first language as the language one learns first or native language, and second language as any additional language learned. Theories of first language acquisition discussed include behaviorism, nativism, and cognitive approach. Theories of second language acquisition discussed include Krashen's theory involving acquisition vs learning, natural order, input, and affective filter. The document also outlines the typical stages of second language acquisition process.

Uploaded by

Ma. Elena Abainza - Arambala
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Republic of the Philippines

SAMAR COLLEGES, INC.


Mabini Avenue, Catbalogan City
COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES

Discussants: Rey Darras and Margie R. Ramos


Program: Master of Arts in Education-Educational Management
Course Description: CLL 103 (Language Acquisition in the Classroom
Schedule: 7:00-11:00 (Sat & Sun.)
Semester/Term: Summer S.Y. 2017-2018
Professor: Manilyn O. Serpajuan, M.E.
Topic: -Definition of First and Second Language Acquisition
-Theories of First and Second Language Acquisition

DEFINITION AND THEORIES OF FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

Definition of “first language” (L1):

 The language(s) that an individual learns first.


 Other terms for “first language”-
 Native language or mother tongue

Theories on First Language Acquisition

 Behaviourism- “Language Learning is a kind of behavior similar to


other human behavior. Language is learnt in much the same way
as anything else is learnt.”

 Proponent: B. F. Skinner
o language behavior is the production of correct
responses to stimuli through reinforcement.
o Language learning is the result of 1) imitation (word-
for-word repetition), 2) practice (repetitive
manipulation of form), 3) feedback on success
(positive reinforcement), and 4) habit formation.
o The quality and quantity of the language that the
child hears, as well as the consistency of the
reinforcement offered by others in the environment,
would shape the child’s language behavior.
 Popular in 1950’s and 60’s
 Principle: Say what I say

 Nativism – “We are born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD)


and access to Universal Grammar (UG)”

 Proponent: Noam Chomsky


o Children are biologically programmed for language
and language develops in the child in just the same
way that other biological functions develop.
o The environment makes only a basic contribution,
that is, the availability of people who speak to the
child. Therefore, the child’s biological endowment
(LAD) will do the rest.
Children are born with a specific innate ability to discover for
themselves the underlying rules of a language system on the
basis of the samples of a natural language they are exposed
to.
 1959
 Principle: It’s all in your mind

 Cognitive Approach- “Children’s language development relies on


their understanding of the world or cognition.”

 Proponent: Jean Piaget


 Language is dependent upon and springs from
cognitive development. That is, children’s cognitive
development determines their language development.
(e.g., the use of words as “bigger” or “more” depends
on children’s understanding of the concepts they represent.)
 He argued that the developing cognitive
understanding is built on the interaction between the child
and the things which can be observed, touched, and
manipulated.
For him, language was one of a number of symbol systems
developed in childhood, rather than a separate module of
the mind. Language can be used to represent knowledge
that children have acquired through
 1952
 Principle: Language Learning is part of a child’s cognitive
development

 Interaction Approach- “Interactionist theories are


concerned with the interplay between environmental &
biological factors in the process of acquiring language.”

 Focus on interaction
 Proponent: Bruner, Vygotsky
Definition of “second language” (L2):

 a language other than the mother tongue that a person or


community uses for public communication, esp in trade, higher
education, and administration
 a language that a person can speak that is not the
first language theylearned naturally as a child:

Krashen’s Theory of Second Language Acquisition

 Acquisition-Learning- Acquisition is the product of a subconscious


process very similar to the process children go through when they
acquire their first language.
-Learning is the product of formal instruction and it comprises a
conscious process which results in conscious knowledge ‘about’
the language.
 Monitor- Explains the relationship between acquisition and learning
and defines the influence of the latter on the former. The monitor
acts in a planning, editing and correcting function.

 Natural Order- is based on research findings (Dulay & Burt, 1974)


which suggested that the acquisition of grammatical structures
follows a natural order which is predictable.

 Input- explains how the learner acquires a second language. The


learner improves and progresses along the “natural order” when
s/he receives second language “input” that is one step beyond
her/his current stage of linguistic competence.

 Affective Filter- Embodies Krashen’s view that a number of


‘affective variables” play a facilitative, but non-causal, role in
second language acquisition. These variables include: motivation,
self-confidence and anxiety. Learners with high motivation, self
confidence, a good self-image, and a low level of anxiety are
better equipped for success in SLA. Low motivation, low self-
esteem, and debilitating anxiety can combine to ‘raise’ the
affective filter and form a ‘mental block’ that prevents
comprehensible input from being used for acquisition.

PROCESS OF SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION-The process of language


acquisition is lengthy. Students move through five stages while
developing English language proficiency.

 Preproduction- Students observe and internalize the new


language. They use gestures, pointing and nodding to
communicate.

 Early Production- Students continue to acquire English and they


use language patterns, yes/no responses and single words to
communicate.

 Speech Emergence- Students begin to use simple sentences. At


this stage they may begin to initiate discussion.

 Intermediate Fluency- Students are fairly comfortable in social


language situations. They state opinions and ask for clarification.

 Continued Language Development- Students participate in


classroom activities with additional support for comprehension,
academic language and cultural information.
REFERENCES:

 Levine, Laura E. and Joyce Munsch. (2010). Child Development.


Sage Publications. (Chapter 9. Language and Communication.)
http://www.sagepub.com/upm-
data/36720_Levine_final_PDF_09.pdf
 http://lib.vcomsats.edu.pk/library/ENG455/COURSE%20CONTENTS/E
NG455%20PPT/LECTURE%2022/lecture%2022.pptx
 http://www.mfi.uni-miskolc.hu/godo/Secondlangacquisition.ppt
 http://www2.nkfust.edu.tw/~emchen/SLA/ppt/2_Theoretical_Appro
aches_to_L2.ppt
 https://cehd.gmu.edu/assets/docs/cehd/mhaley/EDCI%20519/BC
%20Second%20Language%20Acquisiton.ppt
 http://www.dictionary.com/browse/second-language
 https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/second-
language
 Gleason and Ratner (1998). Psycholinguistics. Second Edition.
Forth Worth: Harcourt Brace Collage Publishers.
 Keenan and Comrie (1977). "Noun phrase accessibility and
universal grammar." Linguistic inquiry.8 (1), 63-99.

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