Theories of l2 Learning

8/9/2019 Theories of l2 Learning

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Theories of SLA

1.1. The AcculturationThe Acculturation

ModelModel

2.2. Accomodation TheoryAccomodation Theory3.3. Discourse TheoryDiscourse Theory

4.4. The Monitor ModelThe Monitor Model

5.5. The VariableThe VariableCompetence ModelCompetence Model

6.6. The UniversalThe Universal

HypothesisHypothesis7.7. A NeurofunctionalA Neurofunctional

theorytheory


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The Acculturation Model

Acculturation is the processAcculturation is the process

of becoming adapted to aof becoming adapted to a

new culture (Brown:1980)new culture (Brown:1980)Language is the mostLanguage is the most

observable expressions ofobservable expressions of

culture and because in SLculture and because in SLsettings the acquisition ofsettings the acquisition of

a new language is seen asa new language is seen as

tied to the way in whichtied to the way in which

the learners communitythe learners communityand the target languageand the target language

view each other.view each other.


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Central Premise

... Second language... Second language

acquisition is just oneacquisition is just one

aspect of acculturationaspect of acculturation

and the degree toand the degree towhich a learnerwhich a learner

acculturates to theacculturates to the

target language grouptarget language groupwill control the degreewill control the degree

to which he acquiresto which he acquires

the second languagethe second language(Schumann: 1978)(Schumann: 1978)


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Factor Determining

Acculturation/SLA

1. Social Distance

2. Psychological Distance


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Social DistanceIt is the result of a numberIt is the result of a number

of factors which affect theof factors which affect the

learner as a member oflearner as a member ofsocial group in contact withsocial group in contact with

the target language group.the target language group.


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Social Distance

Both groups have positiveBoth groups have positiveattitude to each otherattitude to each other

The L2 group envisagesThe L2 group envisages

staying in TL area for anstaying in TL area for anextended period.extended period.


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The Psychological

DistanceAffective in NatureAffective in Nature


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The Psychological

Distance1.1. Language ShockLanguage Shock

2.2. Culture ShockCulture Shock

3.3. MotivationMotivation

4.4. Ego boundariesEgo boundaries


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Pidginization Hypothesis

The early stage of SLA areThe early stage of SLA arecharacterized by the samecharacterized by the same

process that areprocess that are

responsible for theresponsible for theformation of pidginformation of pidgin

languages.languages.

When sosial/psychologicalWhen sosial/psychological

distances are great, thedistances are great, the

learner fails to progresslearner fails to progress

beyond the early stages,beyond the early stages,

with the result that hiswith the result that hislanguage is pidginized.language is pidginized.


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Fossilization

When pidginization persistsWhen pidginization persiststhe learnerthe learner fossilizesfossilizes. That. That

is he no longer revises hisis he no longer revises his

interlanguage system ininterlanguage system in

the direction of the TL.the direction of the TL.Thus the earlyThus the early

pidginization andpidginization and

fossilization are identicalfossilization are identicalprocess.process.


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Functions of Language

Schumann:Schumann:

1.1. The communicativeThe communicativefunctionfunction

2.2. The IntegrativeThe Integrative

FunctionFunction3.3. The expressiveThe expressive

FunctionFunction


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The communicative

Function

It concerns with theIt concerns with the

tranmission of purelytranmission of purely

referential, denotativereferential, denotativeinformation.information.


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Integrative Function

It involves the use ofIt involves the use of

language to mark thelanguage to mark the

speaker as a member ofspeaker as a member ofa particular sociala particular social

group;group;


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The Expressive Function

It consists of the use ofIt consists of the use of

language to displaylanguage to display

linguistic virtuosiylinguistic virtuosiy(literary uses)(literary uses)


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The Nativization Model

Andersen see SLA asAndersen see SLA as

the result of twothe result of two

general factors:general factors:

1.1. NativizationNativization

2.2. DenativizationDenativization


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Nativization

It consists of assimilation;It consists of assimilation;the learner makes thethe learner makes the

input conform to his owninput conform to his own

internalized view of whainternalized view of whaconstitutes the L2 system.constitutes the L2 system.

The learner simplifies theThe learner simplifies the

learning task by buildinglearning task by building

hypothesis based on thehypothesis based on theknowledge he alreadyknowledge he already

posseses (e.g. Knowledgeposseses (e.g. Knowledge

of his first language;of his first language;knowledge of the world)knowledge of the world)


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Nativization is apparentin pidginization and theearly stages of both firstand second language

acquisition..


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DenativizationIt involves accommodation;the learner adjusts his

internalized system tomake it fit the input.

The learner makes use of

inferencing strategieswhich enable him remodelhis interlanguage systemin accordance with the

external norm


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The Acculturation andNativization Modelsaddress naturalistic SLA,where the L2 learner hascontact with the target

language community.It is not so clear whetherthe models are also

applicable to classroomSLA (i.e. Foreign languageinstruction), where no suchcontact is possible.


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Theories of l2 Learning