Lecture 3 Applied linguistics Second language acquisitions

1. Lecture 3 Applied linguisticsSecond language acquisitions Objectives: to evaluate how much each theory contributes to useful in explanation of language acquisition to suggest how they can apply these theories in language learning.

2. Second language acquisition research focuses on the developing knowledge and use of language by children and adults who already know at least one other language.

3. Is this field of second language research important? It has theoretical and practical importance theoretical. 1. The theoretical importance relates to a)our understanding of how language is represented in the mind and b) whether there is a difference between language and other type of information in the way how they are acquired and processed. 2. The practical importance arises/comes from the fact that our understanding of how language are learned will lead to more effective teaching practices.

4. L2 Learning /Theories influence Second language Research Both linguistic and psychological theories influence research in second language acquisition. But, do they have the same thinking?. Differences between: linguists and psychologists in the internal factors and external factors in the learning process. Some linguists have suggested language acquisition is based onthe human mind containing innate knowledge of principles common to all languages(universal). In contrast most psychologists thought that language is expressed by general cognitive mechanism that are responsible for human learning and information processes.

5. Linguistic theories Universal grammar: The of universal grammar of human language originated with Chomsky ‘s view of the first language acquisition. He was looking for an explanation of the fact that all children learn language at a time of their cognitive developmentwhen experiencing difficulty in other kinds of knowledge which appears less complex than language.

6. Children possess an innate language faculty called language acquisition device(LAD),later as UG . This faculty was a specialized part of the brain ,pre-programmed to process language. UG(universal grammar) was said to contain general principles for all languages. This Chomsky UG theory has offered explanation for L1 acquisition. Can it explain L 2 learning.

7. No, because UG is no longer available to older learners. There is a critical period for L1 acquisition after puberty. Older learners must make use of general learning processes. This why second language acquisition by older learner is more difficult than for younger learners and it is never complete. What is the way out?.

8. Monitor theory Monitor theory shares UG approach ,but it relates to second language acquisition. As with UG human beings acquire language without instruction. Monitor theory there is a difference between acquisition and learning. L2 acquisition occurs in a manner similar to L1 acquisition. The learner focus is on communicating meanings and messages But learning is a conscious process, one in which the learner’s attention is directed to the rules and forms of the language. what has been learned can be used as a monitor to edit speech (monitor hypothesis). L2learing like L1 learning occurs as a result of exposure to meaningful and varied linguistic input (comprehensible input hypothesis). It has had a significant impact on the field of L2 teaching.

9. Psychological theories Behaviorism Behaviorism was based on the view that all human learning –including language learning-occurs through a process of imitation, practice , reinforcement and habit formation. According to behaviorism, the environment is crucial not only because it is the source of linguistic stimuli that learner need in order to form association between the word they hear and the objects and events, but also it provides feedback on learner performance.

10. Behaviorism fell into disfavour ,as children are able produce new and creative utterances that they had never heard of in their environment Cognitive Psychology: It assumes that language acquisition requires no brain structures used uniquely for language acquisition. But they see second language acquisition ,like other learning, requires the learner’s attentionandefforts connectionisim.: they see strong association between the frequent items(repeated). According to this view the brain create networks which connect words

11. and phrases to other words and phrases (as well to events & objects) which occur at the same time. According to them these connections by learners are strengthened by the high frequency exposure (repetition).For example, if a learner learned shegoes because the learner heard these forms in a combination many many time. Processability theory : It relates cognitive processes to stages in the L2 learner’s development Interactionist perspective: Some theorists assume that a great deal of language learning takes place through social interaction. Sociocultural theory: it assumes there is a an intimate relation between culture and mind, and that all learning first social then individual THE END