Language Development Flashcards
Which of these is a component of Chomsky’s language acquisition theory?
Language errors are different for children of different ages, countries, and language groups.
Language learning is innate and instinctive.
Children do not learn language until they are adults.
Language learning is different across cultures.
Language learning is innate and instinctive.
Chomsky’s theory holds that children learn to use language because of an innate capacity for language and communication; they do not need to be explicitly taught but, rather, pick it up instinctively.
True or False
Chomsky would say that a child’s pattern of language use demonstrates the existence of universal grammar.
True; Chomsky’s theory states that because most children acquire and use language in a consistent way, there is a common structure or grammar within language, known as universal grammar.
Fatima, a kindergarten student, is learning English. Her teacher wants to reinforce Fatima’s use of English vocabulary in a way that is consistent with operant conditioning or behaviorist principles.
When Fatima calls out to ask for a pencil, how should the teacher respond in order to reinforce her use of vocabulary words?
Smile, hand Fatima a pencil, and say, “Here is the pencil. Please remember to raise your hand next time.”
A preschool teacher wants Michael to say “more juice please” when he wants more juice. The teacher first uses positive reinforcement to condition Michael to say “more” when he wants more juice, then reinforces “more juice,” and finally reinforces “more juice please.”
Which principle of operant conditioning is the teacher using?
Shaping; the teacher is engaged in a process involving the shaping of Michael’s words into a correct form by the use of positive reinforcement.
What is the zone of proximal development?
The zone of proximal development is the space between a student’s actual and potential ability, and social interaction and scaffolding can help students maximize their potential.
Vygotsky’s social and cultural theories, including the ZPD, describe the ways in which social interaction, scaffolding, and cultural context can help students develop language and cognitive skills.
Describe three ways that teachers might use Vygotsky’s theories to support their students’ language and cognitive development in the classroom.
Emphasis should be on methods of incorporating social interaction, culturally responsive teaching, and scaffolding into the classroom.
Children are born with a language acquisition device or the innate ability to learn language. Which theorist?
Chomsky
Language learning occurs when you receive a positive response to communication, increasing your motivation to try again. Which theorist?
Skinner
Language learning happens in the context of culture and social interaction, with scaffolding helping you develop language skills. Which theorist?
Vygotsky
What language skill is usually acquired during Birth - 11 months of age?
Babbling
What language skill is usually acquired during 1.5 - 2.5 years of age?
Two word stage
What language skill is usually acquired during 11 months to 1.5 years of age
Holophrastic stage
True or False
According to typical language development expectations, a two- to three-year-old should be able to follow multi-phrase classroom directions with abstract language (e.g., draw a line under the picture on the paper that shows something you play with).
False; This prompt would be much more appropriate for an older child, such as a four- to five-year-old. A two- to three-year-old child may be able to follow simple one-step commands with some complex, but not abstract, language.
A student has an articulation disorder and struggles to pronounce words correctly.
What is the best way to meet this student’s learning needs and build his communication skills?
Allow extra time for the student to speak slowly and clearly.
A student has an expressive language disorder and has difficulty choosing the right words or explaining herself clearly verbally or in writing.
Which learning need is this student likely to have?
The student is likely to need a word bank and help writing paragraphs.
