Second Language Acquisition in The Class
Second Language Acquisition in The Class
Second Language Acquisition in The Class
IN THE CLASSROOM
Definitions of L1 & L2
• Definition of “first language” (L1):
– The language(s) that an individual learns first.
– Other terms for “first language”-
• Native language or mother tongue
3
THEORIES OF SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
BEHAVIORISM: THE SECOND LANGUAGE VIEW
All learning, whether verbal or non-verbal takes place
through the same underlying process, habit formation.
Learners receive linguistic input from speakers in their
environment, and positive reinforcement for their
correct repetitions and imitations.
As a result, habit are formed.
Because language development is described as the
acquisition of a set of habits, it is assumed that a person
learning a second language starts off with the habit
associated with the first language.
THEORIES OF SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
BEHAVIORISM: THE SECOND LANGUAGE VIEW
For the behaviorist, errors are seen as first language
habits interfering with the acquisition of second
language habits. This psychological learning theory has
often been linked to the contrastive analysis hypothesis
(CAH).
The CAH predicts that where there are similarities
between the two languages, the learner will acquire
target language structure with ease; where there are
differences, the learner will have difficulty.
Researchers have found that not all errors predicted by
the CAH are actually made.
THEORIES OF SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING
BEHAVIORISM: THE SECOND LANGUAGE VIEW
For example:
Adult beginners use simple structures in the target
language just as children do: ‘ No understand’ or ‘
Yesterday I meet my teacher’..
Behaviorism
• Language development as habit formation;
• A person learning an L2 starts with the habits
formed in L1 (transfer)
• These habits interfere with the new ones
needed for the second language;
• CAH
THEORIES
COGNITIVE OF SECOND
THEORY: A NEW LANGUAGE LEARNING
PSYCHOLOGICAL APPROACH
subconscious
pick up
knowing about
conscious
Learning
• The Acquisition – Learning Distinction
Sub-conscious
by environment
Acquisition (Ex: games,
Picking up words
Movies, radio)
SLA
Conscious by
Knowing about
Learning instructors
Correct errors
Grammar rules
Differencies
• Acquisition • Learning
• Conscious • Conscious
• Instruction? • Instruction
Factors involved in L2Learning
• Language Input • Prior Knowledge
The language one gets from listening or What the learner has already acquired
reading. and learned before learning L2. A
previous S/F language
• ACQUIRED LATER