The evolution of Second language acquisition theories and practices in Brazil.

What is the future of English teaching going to look like in Brazil in the next couple of years?

Theories on second language acquisition have shaped the way English teaching methods developed along the years….

humanism

cognitivism

interactionism

constructivism

Social constructivism

Multiple intelligences

But only a fewHave passed the test of time…

what really works?

"Language acquisition does not require extensive use of conscious grammatical rules, and does not require tedious drill." Stephen Krashen

Higher levels of cognition are expressed through language, which is developed in social processes.

Or, talk is our tool.

Social processes affect higher mental functions.

Or, we talk with others, and we get smarter.

The interactive process between language and thoughts affects both.

Or, words and ideas join together to help us understand.

Our social, historical, and cultural contexts affects our thought, language,perception, problem-solving, and cognition.

Or, our lived experiences make a difference.

Central to being human is manipulating signs and mediating meaning, which is all determined by social relations.

Or, talking with and listening to others, determines the path we take.

Mediation of meaning is socially-grounded.

Or, if students are denied the use of their dominant languagethey are denied equal access to education.

Cummins’ Grid

Getting an absence excuseBuying popcornOral instructionsInitial level of ESLSome content classes(Art, Music, P.E.)

Talking on the telephoneWritten instructionsWithout illustration

Lab demonstrations/ ExperimentsA-V assisted lessonsBasic math computationsPlane geometryProjects & activitiesHealth instruction

Standardized testsMath concepts & applications in algebraTeacher’s lecturesSocial science textsMainstream EnglishMost content classes

Cognitive Undemanding

Cognitive Demanding

Context

Reduced

Context

Embedded

A C

B D

s

Recent theories

•Interaction Hypothesis

•Competition model

•Noticing hypothesis

•Processability

•Automaticity

Back in the 30’s, the grammar-translation method was widely used around the world.

……it still is in most public schools in Brazil

nowadays

language schools adopt the audio-lingual method, although there is a current preference for the direct method.

New theories and Brazilian English teachers’ awareness of them

Multiple intelligences*; Interaction HypothesisCompetition modelNoticing hypothesisProcessabilityAutomaticity

are slowly being introduced in schools and language centers…..

…..by the professionals’ initiative, since there is little support from language centers for teacher’s development.

The future of English in Brazil

Education (of language or otherwise)in Brazil has proven very lucrative;

Language schools have traditionally served as models for regular schools’ language curriculum;

Regular schools tend to adopt language schools’ approaches or even partner with them.

References:

Krashen, Stephen D. Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Prentice-Hall International, 1987.Krashen, Stephen D. Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Prentice-Hall International, 1988.Vygotsky, L.  Mind in Society: The Development of Higher Psychological Processes.  Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1978.Vygotsky, L. S.  Thought and Language.  Cambridge, MA: The M.I.T. Press, 1985.Crystal, David  The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language.  Cambridge University Press, 1997.Chomsky, N. (1975). Reflections of Language. New York: Pantheon Books.Cook, Vivian (2008). Second Language Learning and Language Teaching. London: Arnold. ISBN 978-0-340-95876-6Website: http://www.ehow.com/about_6587239_jean-theory-child-language-development.htmlWebsite: http://www.speech-therapy-information-and-resources.com/language-acquisition.htmlWebsite: http://www.speech-therapy-information-and-resources.com/language-acquisition.htmlTomasello, M. (2003). Constructing a language: A usage-based theory of language acquisition. USA: First Harvard University Press.Schütz, Ricardo. "Stephen Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition." English Made in Brazil http://www.sk.com.br/sk-krash.html.Lei de Diretrizes e Bases da Educação Nacional Lei nº 9.394, de 20 de dezembro de 1996.