Transcript WalkerJMod3SLAss

Jill Walker
Vestavia Hills Elementary West
[email protected]
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Language is a natural,
biological process
Based on the work on
Chomsky and Universal
Grammar
All children are born
with a Language
Acquisition Device
(LAD) that allows them
to produce and
understand language
(Chomsky 2008).
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Emphasis on learner
interactions and social
aspect of language.
Reflected in the work of
Vygotsky.
Second language
acquisition occurs
through interactions
between the learner,
teacher, and peers.
Uses error analysis to
promote SLA.
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Some brain researchers in the field of SLA
believe that there is a “critical period” for
language learning.
Children ages 2-12 can most effectively learn a
language due to brain development during this
time.
Most researchers agree that when it comes to
language learning, earlier is better; the critical
period can limit L1 and L2 acquisition
(Lenneburg 1967).
Language
 Similarities and
differences between L1
and L2
 L1 proficiency
 L2 knowledge
Learner
 Classroom environment
 Home environment
Learning Process
 Learning styles
 Cultural influences
 Interactions
(Walqui 2000)
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Remember to consider
every child as an
individual…No two
students are alike!
To motivate students,
center instruction
around their likes and
interests.
Create an environment
rich in pictures, handson materials, and realia.
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The Interactionist theory is most effective.
My students learn best through meaningful
conversations with their teachers and peers.
In addition, my students benefit from error
analysis and error correction.
My students learn from
the social interactions that
occur in their learning environment.
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I believe that the Interactionist theory is most
effective and most evident in my teaching.
I value the social interactions of my students,
and believe that they learn from them.
I encourage peer interaction in my learning
environment.
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http://thormay.net/lxesl/tesol/cycle1/sla/sla
resources.htm
http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/lan
guage_stages.php
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/con
tent/cntareas/reading/li7lk12.htm
http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005co
ntextual.html
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/curriculum/PDFs/
ESL_Modifications.pdf
Chomsky, N. (2008). Noam Chomsky talks about
universal grammar. Retrieved from
http://www.usingenglish.com/cgi-bin/mt/mttb.cgi/19 .
Chomsky, N. (2000). The architecture of language. New
York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Lenneberg, E.H. (1967) Biological foundations of
language. New York: Wiley and sons.
Walqui, A. (2000). Contextual factors in second
language acquisition. Retrieved from
http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005contex
tual.html