A pro-drop language (from "pronoun-dropping") is a language in which certain

classes of pronouns may be omitted when they are in some sense pragmatically
inferable. The phenomenon of "pronoun-dropping" is also commonly referred to
in linguistics as zero or null anaphora. English is considered a non-pro-drop
pro-drop
language. Nonetheless, subject pronouns are almost always dropped in
commands (e.g., Come here); and in informal speech, pronouns and other words,
especially copulas and auxiliaries, may sometimes be dropped, especially from
the beginnings of sentences:

sensitive periods when conditions are optimal for integration of previous

teachable moments
knowledge and the accomplishment of new developmental task with assistance.

Any unit of the grammar system that is sufficiently narrowly defined to form the
discrete item focus of a lesson or exercise. eg. the present continuous, the definite article but
NOT "verbs".

When a word begins with a vowel sound, it links with the word before. This sound
intrusive /w/ is inserted between two rounded vowels, for example between : you are / you eat.
It can also occur within a word, such as cooperate.

When a word begins with a vowel sound, it links with the word before. This sound
instrusive /j/
is inserted between flatter vowels eg. a free evening.

verbs that have little meaning alone but that can be joined together with many
other words, so generating a wide variety of new meanings. These have also been
delexicalised verbs
called 'empty' verbs. Learners often have problems with these verbs because they
try to find a general meaning. eg. the get in get older

a word that performs a syntactic role but contributes nothing to meaning

"IT is important that you work hard for the exam."
syntactic expletive
"THERE are ten desks here."
"IT is raining."

A discourse marker is a word or phrase that plays a role in managing the flow and
structure of discourse
discourse marker Examples of discourse markers include the particles "oh", "well", "now", "then", "you
know", and "I mean", and the 'discourse connectives', "so", "because", "and", "but",
and "or"

Turn-taking is a type of organization in conversation where participants speak one

turn-taking
at a time in alternating turns.

a variety of a language used for a particular purpose or in a particular social

register setting. For example the language used in the pub between two friends is not the
same as the formal language used when signing contracts

grouping words together, with a pause, or a change in pitch, or a lengthening of a

chunking
syllable to signal the end of the chunk.

This occurs when a learner compensates for language deficiency by using a

achievement behaviour
communication strategy

A strategy used by the learner who lacks the necessary language to express
achievement strategy
something, but perserveres with trying to express it.

Internalise second language rules and vocabulary which are then used to
acquire
communicate in the language.

The psychological barrier that allows input to be filtered through to a language

affective filter processing mechanism. A low filter has little anxiety increasing comprehension
and attention.

A word which is opposite in meaning to another one.

antonym
Example: stop/go

This occurs when a learner avoids using language, which is difficult or poorly
avoidance behaviour
remembered.

DELTA MODULE 1
 Decoding of a text, step by step from the smallest elements, for example sounds
or letters, gradually building up to larger units of meaning such as sentences.
bottom-up processing
Example: Asking learners to read aloud may encourage bottom-up processing
because they focus on word forms, not meaning.

Various mental processes the learner uses to work on, internalise, and automatise
new language. These include repetition, organising new language, summarising
meaning, guessing meaning from context, using imagery for memorisation. All of
cognitive strategies these strategies involve deliberate manipulation of language to improve learning.
Example: A learner remembers new words by visualising them represented in a
memorable or ridiculous situation. This makes it easier and faster to recall these
words.

Characteristic way in which a learner tends to think about a task and process new
cognitive style
information; typically comes into play automatically rather than by choice.

Words and expressions which help to link ideas within and between sentences in
written texts, and within and between utterances in spoken texts.
cohesive devices Cohesion refers to the organization of sentences and ideas in your essay working
together as a whole within their paragraphs.
'For example', 'In conclusion', 'however' and 'moreover'.

Strategies used to communicate when the learner lacks the necessary language
communication strategies knowledge
Example: mime or paraphrase

The ability to use language in a variety of settings, taking into account

communicative competence
relationships between speakers and differences in situations.

Knowledge of language form and the ability to put that knowledge to use in
communicative language ability
communication.

A meaning relationship between words which the existence of one item implies
complementarity the existence of the other.
Example: employer and employee

Language that a learner can understand. It can be comprehensible because the

comprehensible input language is adjusted to the proficiency level of the learner or because of
gestures, contextual information or prior knowledge/experience.

Language produced by learners which they have attempted to make

comprehensible output
understandable to listeners/readers.

A technique in which the teacher and a student, or students, discuss a piece of

conferencing
writing while it is being drafted, or after a first draft has been completed.

The associative meanings that a word evokes. (the emotions and associations
connected to a word)
connotative meaning
Example: Childish and childlike implies that someone is immature, but youthful
infers that someone is lively and energetic.

The background knowledge of a topic which a learner holds in his or her mind
content schemata
and which assists in the interpretation of a text.

contextual clues Clues in a text which a reader can use to deduce the meaning of unknown words.

The social, psychological and physical setting in which a communicative event

context of use
takes place.

the systematic study of a pair of languages with a view to identifying their

contrastive analysis
structural differences and similarities.

pairs of words which exhibit the reversal of a relationship between items

converseness
Example: If John sells to Fred, Fred buys from John

A view of second language acquisition as a process by which learners construct

creative construction process their own rule system for the second language and gradually develop this through
predictable stages.
DELTA MODULE 1