Formal Approaches to SLA

1. Formal Approaches to SLA Samantha Jennings Middle Tennessee State University skj2a@mtsu.edu

2. Innatism • Reflected in Noam Chomsky’s work • Chomsky proposed that children were born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) in the brain • Believed the learner played an active role in creating language

3. According to Innatism: • Universal Grammar (UG) believes that the principles of grammar are shared and thought to be instinctive to all people • Even if language rules differ, all people will be able to correctly identify formed sentences

4. Interactionist Approach • Many researchers that believe in an Interactionist approach base their ideas on the work of Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory • Vygotsky believed that interactions must occur between learners and others for learning to take place

5. According to Interactionist Approach: • Focuses on learner interactions and social aspects to develop language • Second language acquisition encouraged through interactions when mistakes are made and then corrected by others

6. Age Factor in Second Language Acquisition • Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH) • The “critical ages” of learning acquisition happens between the ages of 2-12 • Lateralization of the language function in the brain finishes around puberty

7. Critical Factors in Language Acquisition • Language: L1 and L2 similarities/differences, L1 proficiency, Knowledge of L2, Appropriate dialect and register, Language attitudes • Learner: Diversity in the classroom, Goals for language learning, Support groups, Home environment • Learning Process: Learning style, Cultural influences, Motivation, Interactions

8. Tips for Teachers • Encourage interactions between learners • Promote good attitudes about language learning • Create support groups • Celebrate diversity in the classroom

9. Classroom Approach • The interactionist approach will be encouraged within the classroom • Language and communication (social and academic) will be encouraged through interaction between the learners and with teachers

10. The approach I relate to: • I most relate to the interactionist approach. • Interacting with others can boost confidence in language. • Provides a chance to learn from mistakes • Provides multiple opportunities to practice and to imprint knowledge firmly to memory

11. References • Cook, V. Second language acquisition topics. Retrieved from: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/SLA/index.htm • Gass, S. M. & Selinker, L. (2008). Second language acquisition: An introductory course. New York, NY: Routledge. • Schleppegrell, M. (1987). Age and learning. ERIC Clearinghouse on Languages and Linguistics, Retrieved from http://www.language-learning-advisor.com/age-and-language-learning.html#olderlanguagelearner • Shibutani, T., Shibutani, Initials, & Glassner, B. (1991). Society and personality: the interactionist approach to social psychology. Retrieved from http://www.infibeam.com/Books/info/Tamotsu-Shibutani/Society-and-Personality-The-Interactionist-Approach-to/0887386881.html

12. Additional Information • Albakri, R. N. (n.d.). Interaction is the key to second language learning. Retrieved from http://apps.emoe.gov.my/ipba/ResearchPaper/journal/article12.pdf. • Birdsong, D.  (1999).  Second language acquisition and the critical period hypothesis. TESL-EJ.  Volume 4, Number 2.  Retrieved from: http://www.cc.kyoto-su.ac.jp/information/tesl-ej/ej14/r14.html • Walqui, A. (2000). Contextual factors in second language acquisition.  Retrieved fromhttp://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005contextual.html • Smith, S. (n.d.). Second language acquisition and age factors. Retrieved from:http://lilt.ilstu.edu/rlbroad/teaching/studentpubs/onewishenglish/smith.pdf • Shannon, F. ( 2005). Interactionalist theory in second language acquisition part 1. Retrieved from:http://fredshannon.blogspot.com/2005/11/interactionist-theory-in-second.html