Chapter 8 Individual differences in L2 acquisition

1. Chapter 8 Individual differences in L2 acquisition

2. Q: What is language aptitude? (p.73) Explain the components of language aptitude (p.74)

3. Q: How does language aptitude relate to the processes of interlanguage development? (p.74)

4. Q: Test your own language aptitude

5. Orientation- a context or purpose for learning • Motivation- intensity of one’s impetus to learn ex) In an instrumental orientation, learners are studying a language in order to further a career or academic goal. The motivation of a learner to attain that goal could be high or low.

6. Q: Explain different kinds of motivation (p.75)

7. intrinsic motivation Behavior performed for its own sake, in order to experience pleasure and satisfaction such as the joy of doing a particular activity or satisfying one's curiosity. extrinsicmotivation Behavior as a means to an end, that is, to receive some extrinsic reward (e.g. good grades) or to avoid punishment.

8. 3 subtypes: intrinsic motivation • to learn (engaging in an activity for the pleasure and satisfaction of understanding something new, satisfying one's curiosity and exploring the world) • towards achievement (engaging in an activity for the satisfaction of surpassing oneself, coping with challenges and accomplishing or creating something) • to experience stimulation (engaging in an activity to experience pleasant sensations).

9. The innate psychological needs for intrinsic motivation • autonomy (in deciding what to do and how to do it), • competence (abilities and skills) • relatedness (our interaction with others).

10. Q: Check your own motivation

11. Q: What are learning strategies? (p.76)

12. Q: Explain cognitive/metacognitive/social(& affective strategies) (p.77)

13. Q: Check your own learning styles

14. Communicative These learners were defined by the following learning strategies: they like to learn by watching, listening to native speakers, talking to friends in English, watching television in English, using English out of class, learning new words by hearing them, and learning by conversation.

15. Analytical These learners like studying grammar, studying English books and newspapers, studying alone, finding their own mistakes, and working on problems set by the teacher.

16. Authority-oriented The learners prefer the teacher to explain everything, having their own textbook, writing everything in a notebook, studying grammar, learning by reading, and learning new words by seeing them.

17. Concrete These learners tend to like games, pictures, film, video, using cassettes, talking in pairs, and practicing English outside class.

18. Q: What is the meaning of ‘good language learners’? (p.77)