Second Language Acquisition Agenda Class introductions and syllabus

Second Language Acquisition

Agenda ¨ Class introductions and syllabus ¨ Second Language Acquisition (SLA) quiz? !? ! ¨ What is SLA? And other definitions ¨ Languages I know ¨ Who is a “good” language learner? What are the characteristics needed to be a good language learner? Was/Am I a good learner?

What’s the truth? ¨ I have a twin sister. ¨ When I was younger, I wanted to be an actress. ¨ I can speak eight languages. ¨ I can play three instruments: piano, flute, and guitar. ¨ I hate eating mushrooms, bananas, and beets, but I actually like eating Kimchi.

Essential Questions ¨ What is Second Language Acquisition? ¨ What is the difference between a “first language” (L 1) and a “second/target language” (L 2)? ¨ How will knowledge of this field help me as an English teacher?

What is Second Language Acquisition (SLA)? ¨ Study of individuals and groups who are learning another language besides their native language. ¨ How (the process) of learning that language. ¨ L 2 (Second Language) ¨ Target language (the aim or the goal of learning).

Informal vs. formal learning ¨ Informal= “naturalistic” contexts; outside of the classroom ¨ Formal= in classrooms Where does most of the language learning take place?

The 3 BIG Questions ¨ What exactly does the L 2 learner come to know? (What do they learn at the end of the language learning context? ) ¨ How does the learner acquire (learn) this knowledge? ¨ Why are some learners more successful than others?

SLA= COMPLEX ¨ Linguists= Characteristics of the differences and similarities in the languages they are being learned ¨ Psychologists and psycholinguists= mental or cognitive processes ¨ Sociolinguists=understanding the meaning of what is being said. ¨ Social psychologists=group processes

What is a second language? What is the difference? ¨ Second Language ¨ Foreign Language ¨ Library Language ¨ Auxiliary Language

Definitions ¨ Second Language- A language needed for education, employment, and other basic purposes. (Immigrants) ¨ Foreign Language- Travel or studied at school; no immediate or practical application. ¨ Library Language- Used for further learning through reading. ¨ Auxiliary Language- Meant for communication between people from different countries who don’t share a similar language. (The United Nations)

What is a first language? ¨ L 1, Native language, primary language, mother tongue ¨ Acquired during early childhood ¨ Learned in “naturalistic settings” as part of people growing up among people who speak them.

Your Language Experience ¨ List all of the languages you know. ¨ Classify them as L 1 or L 2. ¨ Further classify the L 2 s as “second”, “foreign”, “library”, or “auxiliary”. ¨ How did you learn these languages? (School, “naturalistic”) ¨ How well do you know these languages?

Characteristics of a “good” language learner ¨ What does it mean to be a “good” language learner? ¨ What skills do good language learners need to possess? ¨ Do you think that you are a “good” or “poor” language learner? Why or why not? ¨ Do you think your students are “good” or “poor” language learners? Why or why not?

One Minute Note ¨ What did you learn today? ¨ What did you not understand from today’s class? ¨ What would you like to learn more?