100 likes | 323 Views
Formal Approaches to sla. Jill Walker Vestavia Hills Elementary West aw3e@mtsu.edu. Innatist Approach. Language is a natural, biological process Based on the work on Chomsky and Universal Grammar
E N D
Formal Approaches to sla Jill Walker Vestavia Hills Elementary West aw3e@mtsu.edu
Innatist Approach • Language is a natural, biological process • Based on the work on Chomsky and Universal Grammar • All children are born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that allows them to produce and understand language (Chomsky 2008).
Interactionist Theory • Emphasis on learner interactions and social aspect of language. • Reflected in the work of Vygotsky. • Second language acquisition occurs through interactions between the learner, teacher, and peers. • Uses error analysis to promote SLA.
Age Factor • Some brain researchers in the field of SLA believe that there is a “critical period” for language learning. • Children ages 2-12 can most effectively learn a language due to brain development during this time. • Most researchers agree that when it comes to language learning, earlier is better; the critical period can limit L1 and L2 acquisition (Lenneburg 1967).
Other Critical Factors Language • Similarities and differences between L1 and L2 • L1 proficiency • L2 knowledge Learner • Classroom environment • Home environment Learning Process • Learning styles • Cultural influences • Interactions (Walqui 2000)
Tips for Teachers • Remember to consider every child as an individual…No two students are alike! • To motivate students, center instruction around their likes and interests. • Create an environment rich in pictures, hands-on materials, and realia.
For My Students… • The Interactionist theory is most effective. • My students learn best through meaningful conversations with their teachers and peers. • In addition, my students benefit from error analysis and error correction. • My students learn from the social interactions that occur in their learning environment.
In My Teaching… • I believe that the Interactionist theory is most effective and most evident in my teaching. • I value the social interactions of my students, and believe that they learn from them. • I encourage peer interaction in my learning environment.
Helpful Resources • http://thormay.net/lxesl/tesol/cycle1/sla/slaresources.htm • http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/language_stages.php • http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/reading/li7lk12.htm • http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005contextual.html • http://www.pps.k12.or.us/curriculum/PDFs/ESL_Modifications.pdf
References Chomsky, N. (2008). Noam Chomsky talks about universal grammar. Retrieved from http://www.usingenglish.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/19 . Chomsky, N. (2000). The architecture of language. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Lenneberg, E.H. (1967) Biological foundations of language. New York: Wiley and sons. Walqui, A. (2000). Contextual factors in second language acquisition. Retrieved from http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005contextual.html