Linguists & Theories

Question 0

Merrill Swain

Answer 0

Comprehensible Output hypothesis:

Students acquire a second language by perceiving the gap between what they already know and what they should know. Then they can modify their output and become open to learning new skills.

Question 1

Stephen Krashen

Answer 1

Comprehensible input hypothesis:

Linguistic knowledge and information that students can understand & acquire.

Question 2

Cognitive Psychology SLA theory

Answer 2

Skill Acquisition theory:
Learning a second language is a skill that depends on practice & perseverance. Progresses from declarative knowledge (consciously learning the rules) to procedural knowledge (unconsciously learning how to apply the rules).

Question 3

Manfred Pienemann

Answer 3

Processability theory: addresses the interlanguage systems - idiosyncratic system a student creates, blending features of the native and second language, before becoming proficient in the second language.

Question 4

Sociocultural theory

Answer 4

Cultural multi disciplinarians emphasize the social & cultural context of language development, especially true in SLA. Cultural sensitivity, cultural themes & traditions, and culturally specific use of words and body language in communication are emphasized.

Question 5

Describe the Stages of English Language Development.

Answer 5

Listening & speaking:
Stage 1 Beginning - relies on visual cues, uses gestures to indicate meaning. Can respond verbally to questions & greetings.
Stage 2 Early Intermediate - can initiate talk,beginning to contribute to talk in whole class situations. Beginning to express ideas & feelings.
Stage 3 Intermediate - can talk in variety of situations with increasing fluency & competence. Some control of semantic & syntactic features.
Stage 4 Early Advanced - can recognize a range of registers and use these appropriately, becoming famaliar
Stage 5 Advanced - uses English fluently and appropriately with an understanding of culturally specific registers.