FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION By Allison Lorenz

FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION By: Allison Lorenz EDES 640

Nativist Theory • A linguist, Noam Chomsky, theorized we are born with a built-in device to acquire language at a young age (Language Acquisition Device) • First language is learned without instruction and second language can be acquired the same with the correct input (Escamilla & Grassi, 2000)

Monitor Theory • Based on Chomsky’s LAD concept, Stephen Krashen developed the Monitor Theory including four hypotheses • These hypotheses provide a framework for teaching a second language • The Input Hypothesis • The Natural Order Hypothesis • The Affective Filter Hypothesis • The Acquisition vs. Learning Hypothesis

Input Hypothesis • Students must be able to match what they see and hear to acquire a second language Impacts in the Classroom (teaching and learning) • Use of pictures and visuals to communicate new words • Music, drama and gestures into lessons • Hands-on activities and manipulatives Lessons must be cognitively challenging rather than drills and repetition (Escamilla & Grassi, 2000)

Natural Order Hypothesis • Students will naturally learn a language in a predictable order Impacts in the Classroom (teaching and learning) • Stage 1: Matching words to pictures • Stage 2: Instructional Conversations • Stage 3: Creating conversations among a variety of groups • Stage 4: Communicate with target language students regularly Teaching meaningful lessons that contain grammar is important but communication will allow students to naturally acquire grammar (Escamilla & Grassi, 2000)

Affective Filter Hypothesis • People have a filter that is either a low position or high position. Low position allows language acquisition. High position prohibits language acquisition. Impacts in the Classroom (teaching and learning) • Comfortable learning environment • Focus on meaningful communication Learning situations may be stressful for students so teachers must maintain a relaxed learning environment. (Escamilla & Grassi, 2000)

Acquisition vs. Learning Hypothesis • There are two systems that underlay language performance. Acquisition system occurs when language is learned through an unconscious process. Learning system is activated when the learner is consciously aware of learning rule and grammar of the language Impacts in the Classroom (teaching and learning) • Comfortable learning environment • Focus on meaningful communication Teachers must be aware of these two systems so students learn the language through acquisition so they can reach high proficiency. (Escamilla & Grassi, 2000)

How Language Impacts Learning & Teaching • Language Impacts Learning: • Students ability to communicate and understand content • Development in skills and abilities (Briggs, 2014) • Language Impacting Teaching (Briggs, 2014) • Demanding of more time • Providing ample opportunities for conversation with native • Greater use of manipulatives, visuals and computer-mediated communication

Personalized Learning in the Classroom • Teachers play an important role in students learning a second language • Teachers can customize instruction by: • Creating a safe learning environment • Developing relationships with learners • Providing engaging and enjoyable experiences for learners to practice target instruction • Digital Tools to address diverse learning styles: • Translators (ex. Google Translate) • Reading Apps (ex. Read Naturally) • Educational Websites (ex. Fluent. U)

Reference Briggs, M (2014). Second language teaching and learning: The roles of teachers, students, and the classroom environment. Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library Escamilla, K. , & Grassi, E. (2000). A brief description of second language acquisition. Professional Development Resource Series, “Second Language Acquisition”, BUENO Center, University of Colorado, Boulder.