How Languages Are Learnt
Lecture 1
How languages are learned?
1. Popular views about language learning. 2. How children learn their first language: a) the behaviorist position; b) the annalist position; c) the “critical” period hypothesis; d) the interactionist position.
Every few years new foreign language teaching methods arrive on the scene. New textbooks appear far more frequently. New methods and textbooks may reflect current developments in linguistic/applied linguistic theory or recent pedagogical trends. Sometimes they are said to be based on recent developments in language learning theory and research. For example, one approach to teaching may emphasize the value of having students to imitate and practice a set of correct sentences while another emphasizes the importance of encouraging “natural” communication between learners. How is a teacher to evaluate the potential effectiveness of new methods? One important basis for evaluating is the teacher’s own experience with previous successes and disappointments. Take a moment to reflect on the views about how languages are learned and what the implications are for how they should be taught. There are twelve popular views about language learning. Think about whether you agree or disagree with some of these views. (put: “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree” )
1. Languages are learned mainly through imitation. 2. Parents usually correct young children when they make grammatical errors. 3. People with high intellectual qualities are good language learners. 4. The most important factor in second language acquisition success is motivation. 5. The earlier a second language is introduced at school programmes, the greater the likelihood of success in learning. 6. Most of the mistakes which second language learners make are due to interference from their first language. 7. Teachers should present grammatical rules one at a time and learners should practice example of each one before
How languages are learned?
1. Popular views about language learning. 2. How children learn their first language: a) the behaviorist position; b) the annalist position; c) the “critical” period hypothesis; d) the interactionist position.
Every few years new foreign language teaching methods arrive on the scene. New textbooks appear far more frequently. New methods and textbooks may reflect current developments in linguistic/applied linguistic theory or recent pedagogical trends. Sometimes they are said to be based on recent developments in language learning theory and research. For example, one approach to teaching may emphasize the value of having students to imitate and practice a set of correct sentences while another emphasizes the importance of encouraging “natural” communication between learners. How is a teacher to evaluate the potential effectiveness of new methods? One important basis for evaluating is the teacher’s own experience with previous successes and disappointments. Take a moment to reflect on the views about how languages are learned and what the implications are for how they should be taught. There are twelve popular views about language learning. Think about whether you agree or disagree with some of these views. (put: “strongly agree” or “strongly disagree” )
1. Languages are learned mainly through imitation. 2. Parents usually correct young children when they make grammatical errors. 3. People with high intellectual qualities are good language learners. 4. The most important factor in second language acquisition success is motivation. 5. The earlier a second language is introduced at school programmes, the greater the likelihood of success in learning. 6. Most of the mistakes which second language learners make are due to interference from their first language. 7. Teachers should present grammatical rules one at a time and learners should practice example of each one before