Theories and explanations for language acquisition:
1. Theory of Behaviorism:
• Learning via imitation and reinforcement
• L1 has language habits that interfere with L2
• Contrastive analysis (CA)
o Predict mistakes in L2 based on habits of L1
o Focused on how L1 influenced/contrasted our L2
• Important similarity in L1 & L2 à Systematicity (how language is acquired via a
procedure/ method)
o Different developmental stages & own rules
2. Theory of Nativism by Noam Chomsky
• Theory of universal grammar
• Born with a LAD (language acquisition device)
• Internal and external contributors to language
• Pre-existing knowledge in our brain that helps us learn languages:
o Quickly
o Without making certain language errors
o Explains why we can learn things that aren’t there in input
• Problem à not falsifiable
3. Information processing theory
• General learning theory, shows the gradual build up of knowledge
• Move from declarative knowledge to procedural knowledge
• Declarative knowledge ( ‘that’, knowledge we pull out of our minds i.e. facts)
• Procedural Knowledge ( ‘how’, facts that we consciously retrieve to be able to do
something)
4. The Connectionist Theory of Language acquisition:
• General learning theory
• Habits of L1 influence how we work with L2
• Enrichment of L1 spills over for L2
• Learning new habits creates different pathways
• Word order & animacy are cues to interpretating sentences
• All about our tendencies
5. The Socio-Cultural perspective
• Emphasis on interaction
• Social context of language learning
• We learn in social settings
• People assist us in our learning
1
, Second language acquisition
Age effects in SLA:
Child learners outperform adult learners in SLA
1. Lenneberg’s Critical Period Hypothesis:
• During early life neurobiological conditions are optimal for language learning
• As brain mature plasticity is lost thus acquisition is less efficient
• Critical period (before puberty)
• Children learn à easily, unconsciously & effortlessly
• Phonology & phonetic aspect of language has a more critical period of acquisition
than grammar & vocabulary
2. The fundamental difference Hypothesis (Bley-vromon)
• Children use one set of system for language acquisition (automatic exposure) à
this is enough for L2
• Adults us another set of systems (cognitive systems) à conscious & labored effort
for L2
3. Critical Vs Sensitive period
• Critical period à if you don’t learn a language before this period, you are doomed
• Sensitive period à a better period to learn a language, yet if not accomplished
before this time, it can still be
Arguments against age being important in SLA?
1. Theory of Age Effects
• Child learners who do not attain nativelike proficiency
• When exposure is limited, age doesn’t matter
• Adult learner who learn a language faster than children (rate vs long-term
attainment)
• Adults (better in testing environments), children (better in long-run with attainting
language)
• Child learners who perform like native speakers
Underlying cause of Age effects:
1. Brain maturation (CPH)
2. Socio-affective factors
3. L1 interference
4. Faulty methodology
a. What is being compared with what?
b. Bilingualism Effects
2
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