Session 02: The Learner I

Question 1

what is the mental lexicon?

Answer 1

• The mental lexicon is “the word store in the human mind”, a spiderweb of grammatical and semantic relationships between words

Question 2

which two cicles does the mental lexicon include?

Answer 2

1. declarative knowledge ( content/competence level, semantics, lifelong learning) and procedural skills (performance level, where do i use the word in context?)
2. connotations ( emotions and feelings: red means in europ. “stop”, in asia for example “power”), paradigmatics (share of semantic contents, word class relations, synonyms, antonyms, word combinations) and syntacmatics (idioms and collocations, hard to learn if not native spaker of a language)

Question 3

Language acquisition under natural conditions

Answer 3

=being surrounded by the language 24/7
- role models that you can imitate and talk to
- regular feedback
- easier to learn at young age
but: full language box with L1

Question 4

Name the three levels of language acquisition

Answer 4

1. native-like proficiency: only possible with bilingualism
2. near-native proficiency: only with extra frequent contacts to native speakers in real life situations
3. foreign speaker competence: possible in class

Question 5

Is language a special gift?

Answer 5

language = instinct
- if not exercised by the early age of 6/7, this gift can get lost, however it is unlikely that it expires completely before 6/7
- Children can learn basic grammatical structures without apparent guidiance

Question 6

How does the school environment influence language learning?

Answer 6

• it is artifical, non-authentic input (texts are mostly constructed to show grammar or vocab)
• non individualized
• “tough” environment (social aspects etc)
• Constrains (time, interests, schoolbooks)
• Monotony
• pressure from grades

Question 7

What is the difference between an internal and external syllabus?

Answer 7

internal= predisposition (Veranlagung) e.g. everybody makes the same mistake at some point
external= what is provided in the classroom

Question 8

how should you, as a teacher, deal with mistakes?

Answer 8

important: Students have to make mistakes to learn a language correctly and they will make similar ones
- you need to be a role model to show the mistakes
- make them feel comfortable with making mistakes and create a safe space for them