Essay
AQA A LEVEL ENG LANG CLA EXAMPLE
- Module
- Child language
- Institution
- AQA
An example answer from the child language acquisition section of English Language AQA A level paper 1. Was marked by my teacher and scored 27/30.
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“Child directed speech is a major factor in the development of a child’s language.”(30)
Child directed speech is a term coined by Snow, a social interactionist, which refers to the
way caregivers speak to their children to elicit language. One example of CDS is repetition
which is demonstrated when Jayce’s Mother repeats the common concrete noun “banana”
multiple times using different wordings. For example, she uses a sing-song voice which is
used when speaking to Jayce due to the fact he is so young that it may be easier for him to
understand. His Mother also uses a repeated pattern of vertical scaffolding, a term used by
Cazden, to encourage Jayce to use language to answer the questions and understand the
pragmatic concept of turn taking. For example, she repeats the relative pronoun “where”
when referring to the “banana” to encourage Jayce to be able to understand the concepts.
This is seen as effective as Jayce replies with “nana” deleting the unstressed syllable “ba”
demonstrating through the constant repetition and use of the picture book his language is
beginning to develop. Bruner argues that children have a language acquisition support
system which means they are predisposed to learn language but need routine activities to
scaffold their language development. The use of the picture book activity helps to scaffold as
it allows Jayce’s Mother to introduce visual aspects of “balloons”, “balls” and “bananas” to
accompany the language phrase which means as Jayce progresses he will find it easier to
look through the picture book and be able to use the language his Mother is currently using.
However, when his Mother uses a feature of child directed speech in the interrogative “can
you?” which is a tag question to demonstrate to the child turn taking, this is not effective as it
elicits no response from Jayce thus demonstrating how other factors are important in child's
development. Jayce’s Mother also uses a range of pitches which is a feature of child
directed speech, again it is clear throughout the extract, Jayce’s Mother is less concerned
with Jayce using language, as due to his age this would be rare, but more concerned with
him grasping the concept of turn taking and activities. This is shown when she shouts
“JAYCE” which the loud pitch may be used to get through to Jayce it is his turn to make an
utterance. Bruner therefore would say that child directed speech is a major factor as shown
in this text as when this activity is repeated going forward his Mother will notice a huge
improvement in Jayce’s language due to her use of scaffolding and repetition. However,
Chomsky would argue against this and say these activities are useless as there is a ‘Poverty
of the Stimulus’ meaning the language children hear will not help to develop their language
and instead children simply pass through stages universally as language acquisition is
innate. Therefore, Nativists would say child directed speech is not the main factor and will
not help to ‘speed’ up children’s language.
Cognitivists would also agree with the statement that child directed speech is important as
they believe they help to increase children's understanding. Vgotsky states children use
props as pivots, so in this case, the book is acting as a pivot to Jayce’s language. It is clear
Jayce’s Mother is using a picture book to demonstrate to Jayce numerous unrelated
common concrete nouns. Piaget argues children cannot articulate language that they do not
understand. For example, in response to his Mother’s interrogative “where’s the balloon”,
Jayce replies “errrrrr”. This interjection demonstrates that Jayce is confused and is lacking
understanding which Cognivists would say explain why Jayce lacks the ability to repeat the
common concrete noun “banana”. It can be argued that through repeated use of the book as
a pivot means Jayce’s understanding will develop and as a result his language will develop
alongside it. Vygotsky also states that more knowledgeable others help children close their
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