Approaches 'Theory of language' - Approaches and Methods, chptr 2 pt 2

Question 1

An approach refers to theories about the nature of language and language learning.

• Language is studied from the perspective of many different disciplines, what are some of those?
• What does this mean for approaches and methods?

Answer 1

Theory of language:
Language is studied from the perspective of many different disciplines including:
- Linguistics
- Literature
- Pyschology
- Anthropology
- Sociology

This is why different theoretical views of language and proficiency, both explicitly and implicitly, have influenced current and past language teaching approaches and methods.

Question 2

1) What are some models of language that have influenced language teaching methods and approaches?

My note: these models can be thought of as ways of conceptualizing language.

2) They are theories and views about what?

Answer 2

1) ‘Cognitive Model’, ‘Structural model’, ‘Functional model’, ‘Interaction Model’, Sociocultural model, Genre Model, Lexical Model

2) They are theories and views about language teaching.

Question 3

What is the cognitive model?

Answer 3

Language reflects properties of the mind. Atkinson identifies core features and assumptions of a cognitive view of language “cognitivism:

1) Mind as a computer: set of operations take in input, process it, and produce output
chatgpt: “set of operations” highlights that the mind doesn’t just process information passively—it follows structured mental steps (e.g., encoding, storage, retrieval)
2) Representationalism:
Mind stores internal representations of external events.
3) abstract knowledge acquisition:
Learning is about acquiring the rules of language (competence) that help us use language in real-life situations (performance).

In other words : when we use language (performance), our brain is actually relying on deep, underlying rules (competence)—including grammar rules and patterns of language such as syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics—that we may not be consciously aware of. The cognitive model suggests that learners internalize these rules—subconsciously absorb and apply them. This process helps learners generate new sentences naturally rather than just reproducing memorized chunks.

Question 4

What is the Structural Model?
1) application
2) The view that…
3) What (methods?) embody this view of language?

Answer 4

1) wide application in language teaching
2) The view that language learning is mastering these elements:
a) Phonological units (e.g., phonemes)
b) grammatical units (e.g., clauses, phrases, sentences)
c) Grammatical operations (e.g., adding, shifting or joining transforming elements)
d) Lexical items (e.g. function words and structure words)
3) The Audiolingual, Situational Language Teaching and Total Physical Response methods embody this view of language.

Question 5

Functional model:
(Functional view)
1) what is the view?
2) What (methods?) subscribe to this view?
3) What do functional approaches emphasize?
4) Where are the implications of this view of language seen?

Answer 5

1) Is the view that language is a vehicle to express functional meanings and for performing real-world activities.
- Functional models are linked to the concept of communicative competence – knowing how language is used to achieve different communicative purposes.
2) The ‘Communicate Movement’ subscribes to this view as does ‘Competency Based Language Teaching’
3) Functional approaches emphasize the sematic and communicative dimension rather than merely grammatical characteristics
- Hence, organization of language teaching content by categories of meaning and function rather than by elements of structure and grammar.
4) The implications of this view of language is seen in the following:
- ‘Threshold Level’ syllabus, developed by the Council of Europe
- Common European Framework of Reference, which describes languages in terms of sets of competencies a learner is able to express through language
- The English for Specific Purposes (ESP) movement - functional account of learner needs

Question 6

Interaction Model (interactive view)
1) What is the Interaction Model?
2) What do Interactional approaches to language teaching include?
3) What do Interactional theories focus on?
4) since when has ‘Interaction’ been central to theories of second language learning and pedagogy?
5) What did Rivers say and when?
6) What plays a central role in interactive views and is central to current teaching proposals?

Answer 6

1)
- Focus is on the performance of social interactions for individuals
- Language is a tool for the creation and maintenance of social relations
2) Interactional approaches to language teaching include:
a) Second language acquisition
b) interactional analysis
c) Ethnomethodology
3) Interactional theories focus on:
a) Patterns of moves
b) Acts
c) Negotiations
d) Interaction found in conversation & other kinds of exchanges and which are central to an understanding of discourse
4) ‘Interaction’ has been central to theories of second language learning and pedagogy since the 1980’s.
5) Rivers (1987) “Students achieve faculty in using a language when their attention is focused on receiving and conveying authentic messages
6) Negotiation of meaning plays a central role in interactive views and is central to current teaching proposals, including Task-Based Learning Teaching and CLIL (see below).

Question 7

Sociocultural model

1) How does it view language?
2) How is knowledge constructed?
What
3) What methods are supported by a sociocultural perspective?

Answer 7

1) Views language as a communicative activity in which social context is central.

2) Knowledge is constructed through:
a) social interaction and reflects the learner’s cultures, customs and beliefs
b) Collaborative activities

3) A sociocultural view is said to underpin accounts of Task-Based Language Teaching and Cooperative Learning

Question 8

Genre Model

1) What does Genre refer to?
2) What are 2 principles?
3) What is Genre and Text approach seen in?

Answer 8

1) ‘Genre’ refers to human activity where there are norms of language usage, such as in science, business, medicine, literature.

2)
- Texts are the units of discourse that occur in different genres such as descriptions and explanations.
- The social context is shaped by people using the language.

3) Genre and text approach is seen in:
- Text-Based Instrustion
- English for Specific Purposes & English for Academic Purposes.

Question 9

Lexical Model (The lexical view)

1) What does this view prioritise?
2) What are 3 principles?
3) What do advocates of this view argue for?

Answer 9

1) This view prioritises the role of lexis and lexical chunks or phrases in language

2)
- Highlights grammar and vocabulary are related.
- Instead of seeing vocabulary and grammar as discrete (two separate things), they are viewed as intrinsically (naturally) connected and dependent on each other.
- Grammatical competence arises out of phrase and lexical based learning.

3) Advocates argue for a greater role of vocabulary as well as lexical phrases and chunks in language teaching.