14 - Second Language Acquisition Flashcards
What is second language learning?
Learning a language in the community where it’s spoken (e.g. immigrants in the UK)
What is foreign language learning?
Learning a language not spoken in the surrounding community (e.g. traditional foreign language learning in schools)
What is language acquisition?
The process of a child’s L1 development in which they gradually begin to produce the language without consciously thinking about grammar rules, vocab and sound patterns
What is language learning?
The conscious process of accumulating knowledge about the language, memorising words and rules, deducing patterns and thinking about producing sounds and rhythms that may not occur in the L1
What are some L2 acquisition/learning barriers?
- Time, focus and incentive
- L2 sound and intonation acquisition challenge
- Affective factors (e.g. self consciousness)
What is the Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH)?
Biologically determined period for language learning from age 2 to puberty
What is language transfer?
Using sounds, expressions and structures from the L1 in the L2
- Positive transfer: when features in L2 and the same as or similar to in L1
- Negative transfer: when features in L2 are different to L1
What is interlanguage?
Interim system of L2 learners which has some features of the L1 and L2 and some features that belong to neither language
What is fossilation?
When an interlanguage fossilises it doesn’t seem to progress i.e. certain errors persist when speaking/writing
What is instrumental motivation?
Desire to learn an L2 in order to acheive a career-related goal
What is integrative motivation?
Desire to learn an L2 to take part in the social life of the community of L2 users and to become a member of that community
What is the teaching method ‘grammar-translation’?
- Learning about the language rather than using it in everyday communication
- Learning rules and vocab lists
- Focus on written production
What is the teaching method ‘audiolingual method’?
- Listening and repeating drills
- Learning by analogy, not analysis
What is language learning through the communicative approach?
- Learning through using the language rather than learning about it
- Task based learning involving the learner’s interaction e.g. listening to weather forecast
What is communicative competence?
Ability to use language accurately, appropriately and flexibly
What is grammatical competence?
Accurate use of grammatical structures and vocabulary
What is sociolinguistic competence?
Using language appropriately according to the social and sociocultural context
What is strategic competence?
Organising a message effectively and being able to compensate for any difficulties e.g. lacking the vocabulary to express what they mean -> communication strategies
What are the 4 learner types?
- Concrete learners
- Analytical learners
- Communicative learners
- Authority-orientated learners
What are concrete learners?
Like games, pictures, films, talking in pairs
What are analytical learners?
Like studying grammar, studying alone, finding their own mistakes, working on problems set by teacher
What are communicative learners?
Like to learn by watching, listening to native speakers, learning new words by hearing them and through conversations
What are authority-orientated learners?
Prefer teacher to explain everything, like writing their notes and studying grammar, learn by reading and seeing words
What is field independence?
- Ability to isolate specific item or factor from other distracting factors
- Personality traits: independent, self-confident
What is ambiguity tolerance?
- Open to ambiguity, not distracted or disturbed by uncertainty
- Tolerant of differences and contradictions e.g. between L1 and L2
- Tendency to accept everything without ability to incorporate e.g. new forms into a cognitive organisational structure
What is deductive learning?
Generalisation or rule -> specific examples or activities
What is inductive learning?
Specific examples or activities -> generalisation or rule
What is a visual learner?
Prefer reading and studying graphic information (charts, drawings, etc.)
What is an auditory learner?
Prefer listening to lectures and other audio-sources (videos, tapes, etc.)
What is a kinaesthetic learner?
Prefer movement and touch. Learn best when combined/associated with physical activities
