Second Language Acquisition
ESLS 5301
https://www.smore.com/5rwvf
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for placing us in the perfect place which is part of your perfect plan. I am going to choose to shine for You right here, this very day. Amen.
How Languages are Learned
Chapter 1: Language Learning in Early Childhood
The first three years (p. 6-7)
- Read the section on pp. 6-7 on the first three years of first language acquisition.
- On a post-it note jot down 1-3 ideas that stuck with you from your reading.
- Choose an accountable discussion card from the table and be ready to share your ideas.
- Use inside/outside circle or fold the line to share with a partner.
Principles of Language Learning and Teaching
Chapter 2: First Language Acquisition
Three Positions in First Language Acquisition
- Select one of the three positions in first language acquisition:
- Nativist Position (pp. 26 - 30)
- Functional Position (pp. 30 - 33)
- Create a Frayer Model for the selected position.
Issues in First Language Acquisition
- Review some of the issues in first language acquisition (p. 33).
- Complete the Guided Notes for at least 3 issues.
Let's reflect!
- Have you ever had to learn a second language? Share an example of an instance when your comprehension exceeded your production ability? Or vice-versa?
- Read p. 47-48 (L1-Acquisition-Inspired Methods).
- In what way did Gouin's Series Method reflect some ideas about language acquisition that are now current more than a hundred years later? What aspects of the Series Method and the Direct Method are still effective today?
Additional web resources
Chapter 1: Language learning in early childhood
Behaviorism meets sit-com
This brief clip (2:06 minutes) from the Big Bang Theory shows a humorous interpretation of positive reinforcement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-63ysqT5nu0&feature=relatedGenie
This is one of a number of links that will take you to information about 'Genie', the child who was isolated from human company and did not begin to learn language until she was 13 years old.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEnkY2iaKisEarly language
Go to http://www.ted.com and search for 'Deb Roy' to hear about 'the birth of a word'. Roy recorded his child's vocalization and the environment in which he was growing up in order to trace the emergence of early language.
An innatist perspective
Go to http://www.ted.com and search for 'Steven Pinker' to hear how the innatist perspective can be used to explain the development of language.
The infant linguist
Go to http://www.ted.com and search for 'Patricia Kuhl' to hear about research on the ability of infants to make fine phonetic discriminations.
Developmental progress
http://www.pbs.org/parents/child-development/baby-and-toddler/baby-toddler-milestones/
Language Learning Experience Entry #2 (p. 49)
- Read the guidelines for Entry #2.
- Answer all of the questions and post on Blackboard by September 15th.
Dr. Anita de la Isla
Email: anitaoftheisland@gmail.com
Website: www.dbu.edu
Phone: 469.733.3086
Twitter: @shoegoddess97