Theories of second language acquisition

Aurora Sancerni, Marina Carrasco, Tigist Alemany & Laura Rial

Aurora Sancerni, Marina Carrasco, Tigist Alemany & Laura Rial

Second language acquisition

Environmentalist Theories of SLA

Habit formation

Conditioning

Behaviorism

• Imitation
• Reinforcement
• Repetition

Stimulus-response-reinforcement cycle

Speaking ability: more important than grammatical understanding. Correct pronunciation and fluency are developed through imitation and modeled speech

B.F. Skinner

• Language acquisition as a process of habit formation, through association and imitation.
• It involves learners to form connections between stimuli and responses.
• B.F. Skinner: "language learning occurs in a stimulus-response-reinforcement cycle".

Summary

This model focuses on the sociocultural context of language learning, particularly the role of social interactions and cultural immersion in the acquisition process.

The Acculturation Model

Two sets of factors: social and psychological. What do these factors make? Determine respectively the level of social and psychological distance an L2 learner is having in the course of learning the target language.

Involves: new orientation of thinking and feeling on the part of an L2 learner.

It is the process of being adapted to a new culture

H. Douglas Brown

Factors that influence

1. Motivation
2. Attitude
3. Culture shock

Psychological distance

1. Social dominance
2. Integration pattern
3. Enclosure
4. Cohesiveness
5. Size factor
6. Cultural congruence
7. Attitude factor
8. Intended length of residence.

Social Distance

Nativist Theories of SLA

Krashen’s Monitor Theory

Krashen's Monitor Theory Krashen's theory focuses on natural language acquisition.Emphasizes absorbing language through exposure.

Input Hypothesis

Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis

Krashen's theory encourages natural language absorption. Bye-bye, boring grammar drills; hello, fun language adventures!

Interactionist Theories of SLA

SOCIOCULTURAL THEORY

CONVERSATIONAL INTERACTION

CONTEXTUALIZED LANGUAGE USE

INPUT HYPOTHESIS

CONVARSATIONAL INTERACTION

NEGOTIATION OF MEANING

SOCIAL CONSTRUCTIVISM

It is deeply rooted in the belief language acquisition is closely related to Social interaction.

According to Vygotsky learners acquire language by participating in meaningful social interactions and engaging in activities that are relevant to their cultural and linguistic communities. He believe we learn in two levels.

Sociocultural Theory

TWO LEVELS

Intrapsychological

Interpsychological

Individual's mental structure

Interaction with others

Level 2

Level 1

ZONE OF PROXIMAL DEVELOPMENT

ZPD

B: Stuff learners can't do (even with support)

ZPD: Stuff learners can do, with support

A: Stuff learners can do

It aligns with its principles which say that learning is an active process shaped by social interaction and collaboration. Meaningful conversations provide learners with opportunities to construct their understanding of the language.

Social constructivism

Natural Order Hypothesis

We learn different parts of language in a specific order. Just like babies learn to babble before forming sentences.

Affective Filter Hypothesis

Your emotions affect language learning. Being relaxed and engaged helps you learn better.

Interactive process in which learners and native speakers work together to ensure that they understand each other. This negotiation can involve clarification of words, rephrasing, or seeking confirmation to enhance comprehension.

Negotiation of Meaning

• Understanding language input is key to learning.

• Like watching shows in a language you're learning and gradually understanding more.

Drills, repetition, and rote learning are important: they develop new language habits.

RESPONSE

LEARNERS

• Reinforced/corrected by the teacher or native speaker.
• Through reinforcement:

- It becomes a habit.- It is eliminated because of incorrectness

ELEMENTS

• Exposed to a linguistic stimulus.
• Produce a response.

A message students can understand

Connected to Stephen Krashen's hypothesis.Learners acquire lenguage more effectively when they are exposed to "Comprehensible input".Have to be provided with a dynamic and context-rich environment.

Input Hypothesis

Monitor Hypothesis

Your brain acts like a grammar-checker. Helps fix mistakes while speaking or writing.

TASK BASED LEARNING (TBL)

It means that learners are exposed to language in authentic situations. This can include everyday conversations, problem-solving scenarios, or role-playing activities. There is. a need to create:

Contextualized Language Use

• Learning through exposure is more effective than studying grammar rules.

• Think of it like picking up slang from your favorite YouTubers effortlessly.