Second Language Acquisition

Objectives
explain expected stages and patterns of language development as related to first and second language acquisition (critical period hypothesis Proficiency levels). explain how first language development affects development of English (Transferability TheoryThreshold Hypothesis).

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? Discuss your ideas with a partner.

Age and Second Language Acquisition

The Critical Period Hypothesis (Eric Lenneberg (1967) Lenneberg stated that: L2 is best learned between age 2 and puberty Ability to learn language is negatively affected by the completion of process of lateralization

Age and Second Language Acquisition

Critical Period Hypothesis Laterialization is when each side of the brain develops its own specialized functions

Young learners use the same part of the brain for learning both languages Older learners use different parts of the brain

Age and Second Language Acquisition

Lenneberg stated that Lateralization is completed by puberty Therefore, an L2 should be learned between age 2 and puberty (according to Lenneberg) More recent research has indicated that lateralization actually is completed by age 5

Age and Second Language Acquisition

Therefore, young learners (before age 5) are actually native speakers of both languages They learn both L1 and L2 the way a native speaker does
J. Lessow-Hurley. (2005). The foundations of dual language instruction

Age and Second Language Acquisition

Advantages to being a younger learner More likely to develop a native-like accent Less to learn to be considered proficient More likely to receive comprehensible input

Age and Second Language Acquisition

Advantages to being an older learner Can consciously use strategies to aid learning Has knowledge from L1 to draw from Has greater control over input

Proficiency: What is it?

To Think About: When is a person proficient in a second language? How do you know a person is proficient? Discuss your ideas with a partner.

Proficiency
Proficiency includes grammatical, sociolinguistic, discourse and strategic competence Age appropriate competence in each of these areas needs to be developed to be considered proficient in a second language

Proficiency

Grammatical Competence Mastery of language code Lexicon (vocabulary) Word formation rules Sentence formation rules Pronunciation rules Spelling

Proficiency
Sociolinguistic Competence Mastery of appropriate language use in different contexts
How to speak to a friend How to speak to someone in authority How to speak socially vs. professionally

Proficiency
Discourse Competence Mastery of how to combine meanings and forms to create a text in different modes
Examples: Telephone inquiry

Narrative text
Oral report

Proficiency
Strategic Competence
Mastery of verbal and non-verbal strategies to compensate for breakdowns in communication
Examples:
How to ask for help How to rephrase a statement

Proficiency: How long does it take?

To Think About: If you wanted to learn another 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? Discuss your ideas with a partner.

Proficiency: How long does it take?

BICS ( Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills)

2 to 3 years Ability to converse and understand every day discussions

Proficiency: How long does it take?

CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) 4 to 10 years Ability to read, write, speak, and listen at an academic level

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

How can you identify a learners language acquisition level? Discuss with a partner how the language acquisition level can be determined. In other words, how do you know if a learner is a beginner, an intermediate, or advanced learner of the L2?

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Instead of using beginner, intermediate and advanced, a more specific classification system can be used. A learner can be at the preproduction, early speech, speech emergence or intermediate fluency stage

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

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Preproduction/Comprehension Stage The teacher should NOT force the learner to talk The teacher should ask the learner to draw, point, act out, label

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Early Speech Production Characteristics -Can understand more than can produce -Can produce one or two words at a time -Will pick up phrases (He cutted.)

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Early Speech Production The teacher should ask the learner yes/no questions The teacher should ask the learner choice questions (Is this a ___ or a ___?)

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Speech Emergence Characteristics -Speaks in phrases -Makes lots of errors -Interlanguage occurs (a mixture of vocabulary and structures from both languages)

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Speech Emergence The teacher should ask the learner questions such as What is this? What does ___ do?

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Intermediate Fluency Characteristics -Appear orally fluent -Errors are same errors native speakers make -Struggle with content area reading and writing.

Stages in Second Language Acquisition

Intermediate Fluency The teacher should modify higher level questions. For example, instead of asking a student to compare two items, the teacher should ask the student how two items are the same. Then the teacher should ask how they are different.

First Language Development

To Think About: Do you think the childs first language is a hindrance or a help in terms of learning a second language? Why?

Discuss your ideas with a partner.

Common Underlying Proficiency/Transferability Theory

Look at the next slide which illustrates a Dual Iceberg Representation of first and second language development. What does this illustration mean?

Common Underlying Proficiency/Transferability Theory

Dual Iceberg Representation surface features L1 surface features L2

common underlying proficiency

Common Underlying Proficiency/Transferability Theory

Many skills and concepts are common or interdependent across languages.

A skill or concept learned in one language transfers to another language when the requisite vocabulary is acquired

Common Underlying Proficiency/Transferability Theory

For example, a learner only learns to read once. If a learner can read, he/she can read in another language, once the vocabulary is learned. What needs to be explicitly taught in the other language are the features that are different.

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

What Literacy Skills Transfer?

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
The threshold hypothesis states there is a threshold level of ability that needs to be reached in one language in order for a learner to be successful in another language The threshold hypothesis also states that high levels of bilingualism have positive cognitive effects

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

What have you learned?

With a partner, list three new things you have learned today.

Assignment 1
1. Compare between first language learner and second language learner in terms of the following characteristics:

-constructs language from prior conceptual knowledge -is an active learner who tests and revises hypotheses -requires interaction -uses cognitive strategies (i.e., overgeneralization) -understands more when input is modified (caretaker talk, foreigner talk) -develops language in predictable stages - makes developmental errors - experiences a silent period -is familiar with one or more other cultures - may have a problem with attitude/motivation - is more likely to be inhibited or Anxious

Assignment 1
2. Select a topic that you will teach (for example, fairy tales, plant life, animals, etc.). Then, think of how you would involve a learner at each language proficiency level in the lesson. For example, you might think of questions that you could ask learners at each proficiency level. Or, you might think of an activity in which learners at each proficiency level could participate.