Comparing and contrasting first and second language acquisition

Comparing and contrasting first and second language acquisition Brown, Douglas (1994) Principles of Language Learning and Teaching. New Jersey: Prentice Hall Regents (Chapter 3)

Myths about the relationship L 1 and L 2 acquistion • H. H Stern summary: 1. Practice 2. Imitation 3. Sounds => words => sentences 4. Watch a small child’s speech development 5. Listening => speaking => reading => writing 6. L 1 => no translation, so L 2 no translation neither 7. Unnecessary usage of grammar

Critics • Statements tend to represent – The view of those who felt the “L 1 was considered as the foreign language teacher’s dream” – The view of those who were dominated by Behaviorism – Ausubel argued that the “rote learning practice of audiolingual drills lacked the meaningfulness necessary for sucessful L 1 and L 2 acquisition”

Audiolingual method • World war II • U. S Military “Army specialized training program” or “ Army method” Audiolingual method ( 50’s) Two theories Structural Linguistics Behaviouristic Psychology

Characteristics • Dependence on mimicry, memorization of phrases, and overlearning. • Structural patterns are taught using repetitive drills. • Effort to get students to produce error-free utterances. • Very little use of mother tongue by teachers.

Types of Comparison and Contrast L 1 CHILD L 2 CHILD I) C 1 -C 2 II) C 2 -A 2 III) C 1 -A 2 A 1 ADULT (an abnormal situation!) A 2 ADULT

Critical Period • Biological period of life • Main question Is there a critical period for second language acquisition?

Neurological considerations Main question How might neurological development affect second language success? Laterization of the brain

Two important points: 1. When does laterilazation take place? How does the laterilazation process affect language acquisition? - Eric Lenneberg - Thomas Scovel 2. What is the role of the right hemisphere in the acquisition of a second language? - Obler - others

Psychomotor Considerations The role of psychomotor coordinator or muscular coordinator of the “speech muscles” : Accent Muscular control => fluency Physical advantage in phonemic control of a L 2 (until 5 year-old) Henry Kissinger effect

Cognitive considerations Jean Piaget stages: Sensimotor Preoperational Operational • Adults learning a second language could profit from certain grammatical explanations Deductive thinking that would be pointless for a child.

Affective Considerations 1. Role of egocentricity in human development. Alexander Guiora ego” “language 2. Role of attitudes in language learning 3. Peer pressure

Linguistic Considerations ► Children’s ► Adults’ ► Main process (natural) process (classroom action) question Does L 1 interfere in L 2 acquisition?

Issues of first language acquisition 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Competence and performance Comprehension and production Nature or nurture? Universals Systemacity and variability Language and thought Imitation Practice Input Discourse

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