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Second Language Acquisition
To Think About:Think about a baby acquiring his first language.
Think about a person acquiring a second
language.
What similarities and differences are there in the
two processes?
First and Second Language Acquisition
Characteristics L1 Learner L2 Learnerconstructs language from
prior conceptual knowledge x x
is an active learner who tests
and revises hypotheses x x
requires interaction x x
uses cognitive strategies(i.e., overgeneralization) x x
understands more when input is modified
(caretaker talk, foreign talk) x x
develops language in predictable stages x x
makes developmental errors x x
experiences a silent period x x
Characteristics L1 Learner L2 Learneris usually made cognitively developed xgenerally has a greater knowledge ofthe world xgenerally can learn and apply rulesmore easily xusually has more control over input xhas an L1 as a resource xis familiar with one or more other cultures xmay have a problem withattitude/motivation xis more likely to be inhibited or anxious
x
Adapted from: P. Richard-Amato. (1996). Making it happen: Interaction in the second language classroom. P.27
Age and Second Language Acquisition
To Think About:
Is it better to learn a second language when one is young or when one is older?
Why?
Critical Period Hypothesis
The Critical Period Hypothesis states that and individual must acquire a language by a critical period or it will be difficult to acquire a language. This is in terms of First Language Acquisition.
The main advantage to learning a language when younger is that the individual is more likely to acquire a native-like accent.
Proficiency: What is it?
To Think About:
When a person proficient in a second language?
How do you know a person is proficient?
Proficiency:
Grammatical Competence• Mastery of language code
LexiconWord formation rulesSentence formation rulesPronunciation rulesSpelling
Sociolinguistic Competence• Mastery of appropriate language use n different
contexts
Discourse CompetenceMastery of how to combine meanings and forms
to create a text in different modes
Examples: telephone inquiry, argumentative essays, recipes
Strategic CompetenceMastery of verbal and non-verbal strategies to compensate for breakdowns in communication
Proficiency: How long does it take?
To Think About:
If you wanted to learn a second language, how long do you think it would take you to speak and understand that language? How long would it take you to read and write?
BICS ( Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills)
2 to 3 years
Ability to converse and understand every day discussions
CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency)
5 to 7 years
Ability to read, write, speak, and listen at an academic level
Stages in Second Language Acquisition
Preproduction/Comprehension Stage Characteristics
Silent period
Can respond non-verbally
Will be able to understand more than they can produce
Early Speech Production Characteristics
Can understand more than can produce
Can produce one or two words at a time
Will make lots of errors
Interlanguage occurs (a mixture of vocabulary and structures from both languages
Speech Emergence Characteristics
Will be able to understand more than they can produce
Interlanguage continues to occur
Longer utterances
Decreases in errors
Intermediate Fluency Characteristics
Appear orally fluent
Errors are same errors native speakers make
Struggle with content area reading and writing.
First Language Development
To Think About
Do you think the child’s first language is a hindrance or a help in terms of learning a
second language?
Why?
Common Underlying Proficiency/Transferability Theory
• Many skills and concepts are common or interdependent across languages.
Dual Iceberg Representation
Surface Features Surface Features
of L1 of L2
Common UnderlyingProficiency
What Literacy Skills Transfer?
Directionality
Sequencing
Ability to distinguish shapes and sounds
Knowledge that written symbols correspond to sounds and can be decoded in order and direction
Activation of semantic and syntactic knowledge
Knowledge of text structure
Learning to use cues to predict meaning
Awareness of the variety of purposes for reading and writing
Confidence in oneself as a reader and writer
What Skills Do Not Transfer?
Critical and Cultural Literacy(interpretation of text given a specific cultural world view)
From: C. Roberts. (1994). Transferring literacy skills from L1 to L2: From theory to practice. In The Journal of Educational Issues of Language Minority Students, v. p. 209-221
Threshold Hypothesis
Bilingualism has been viewed as a handicap and a cause of
cognitive confusion.
One reason for this view is Interlanguage
Another reason has to do with the
Threshold Hypothesis
Threshold Hypothesis:
The better developed the L1, the better developed the L2 can be.
High level of proficiency in L1-high level of proficiency in L2 is possible
A low level of proficiency in L1-lower level of proficiency in L2