Input Vs. Output: Key Factors In Second Language Acquisition.

Many popular theories of second language acquisition have been analyzed throughout history. The socialization of L2 learners, their present emotional state that is present at time of acquisition, as well as the comprehensible input and output with the use of scaffolding play a major role in second language acquisition. Let us also not forget the importance of written expression as well as reading comprehension with these L2 learners. Each play a role in language development. However, I believe that in acquiring a language, one must use a variety of techniques that work together to create a balance within the learning environment. Furthermore, all L2 learners learn differently and so a variety of resources will need to be used based on the ability of each student. There are many theories that have been developed by highly qualified experts in the field on linguistics. However, I will address those areas that I agree with as I present my personal theories on second language acquisition.

Judie Haynes’ article, “Stages of Second Language Acquisition”, clearly states five stages that a new learner of English may go through. In Haynes’ theory, there are five stages in total, and they are pre-production, early production, speech emergence, intermediate fluency, and advanced fluency. According to Haynes, new learners of English acquire language by going through the same stages. However, how much time each student spends at a particular stage may be different. Despite the different time length, the stages of people acquiring new language are worth discussing.

Second language acquisition has long been the focus of linguists and researchers in the teaching field. It highlights the process and theories of acquiring second languages among learners. Second language acquisition seeks to understand the development of second language acquisition among second language learners. Mastering the knowledge of second language acquisition helps teachers to successfully provide effective teaching for students. Undeniably, knowledge on second language acquisition is very much related to effective teaching of second languages. Many linguists and teacher educators believe that all language teachers should be equipped with knowledge of second language acquisition to help them teach effectively. Additionally, most teacher training programmers have incorporated second language acquisition as a compulsory course to make sure that all future language teachers are well-equipped with enough knowledge to teach in classroom.

Chomsky argues that every child has a ‘Language Acquisition Device’ or LAD which encodes the major principles of language and its grammatical structure into the child’s brain. Children have then to learn new vocabulary and apply the syntax structure from the LAD to form sentences. Chomsky points out that a child could not possibly learn a language through imitation alone because the language spoken around them is irregular. Language exists in the mind before experience. Noam Chomsky he then believes that children are born with an inherited ability to learn any human language. He claims that certain linguistic structures which children use so accurately must be already imprinted on the child’s mind. Adult’s speech is often broken up and even sometimes ungrammatical. Chomsky’s theory applies to all languages as they all contain nouns, verbs, consonants and vowels and children appear to be ‘hard-wired’ to acquire the grammar. Every language is extremely complex, often with indirect distinctions which even native speakers are unaware of. However, all children,

Skinner’s Behaviorist Model proposes that individuals learn language by imitation and as a direct response to positive or negative stimuli. Bruner’s Interactionist Theory, states that children can only acquire language by interacting with other people. Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development Theory also parallels the previous theories and refers that what one knows and could know is influenced by the assistance of others. ‘Bronfenbrenner believed that a person 's development was affected by everything in their surrounding environment” ("Study.com", 2016). A commonality in the all of these theories is that input is a key factor for the development of

This question focuses on how different types of input affect language development. Some theorize that a child’s actual interaction with others will promote successful language development. Others believe that a child receiving input by simply hearing more language used around them will help the child use those examples as evidence to draw conclusions about their native language.

Language is the primary way to communicate, learn and express identity. Some language learners are successful by virtue of their sheer determination, hard work and diligence. However, there are other crucial factors influencing success that are largely beyond the control of learners. ' 'Second language is any language other than the learner 's native language or mother tongue ' '(Mitchell pg 5). To be successful in second language acquisition, there are various factors which act as barrier in the process of learning English as a second language.

Therefore, from the behaviourist approach, language acquisition can be seen as a stimulus-response process. Children learn language by immitation and analogy. The roles of imitation, repetition, reinforcement, and motivation are essential in learning the language. The First Language Acquisition is thus the result of nature which based on practicing.

Language can be divided into two fundamental categories of “oral” and “non oral” however it is important to acknowledge there is more to these components than simply “speaking” and “listening”. There are many theories on the processes in which language is learnt during childhood. These theories range from Piaget’s cognitive development theory, of immersion is the best environment for learning (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014. p.50., Woolfolk & Margetts, 2013. pp.81-94) to Chomsky’s Nativist theory stating environment is not as important since we are biologically adapted to learn language as an inherent life skill (Fellowes & Oakley, 2014. p.49). Researchers continue to debate that no single theory is solely responsible for language

Language is an important component in discussing cognitive psychology. There are many different aspects to language that can be broken down to better understand its functions. Language can be defined as “An organized way to combine words to communicate” (O’Brien, lecture notes 2014). In addition language is a communication system that is unique to humans. It is also something that is learned as opposed to being biologically inherited (O’Brien, lecture notes, 2014).

Chomsky’s research reinforces the idea of innate knowledge by treating the innate idea as a fixed form (common grammar hypothesis), which resembles the rationalist doctrine of ideas. (Miller, p. 199)

Language is seen as the way in which humans communicate, and the acquisition of language for most humans starts at a young age. Although the debate of Nature vs. Nurture in regards to behaviorist reinforcement principles or universal grammar is used to stratify how child language acquisition comes about, an old and strong theory proposed by Noam Chomsky suggests that the ability to acquire a language is a natural and inborn phenomenon. He changed the world’s perspective by questioning behaviorist Burrhus Frederic Skinner’s theory which at the time held the simplest explanation believed to be most credible.

Many second language acquisition theories have been developed over the years. These theories examine the avenues in which second language is acquired and the avenues in which they are

Language is a cognitive function that most of us take for granted. It starts from early on, some say at conception, and it develops in complexity as we get older. It is an essential part of communication and without it its development would be greatly hindered. This natural process requires complex structures and reasoning, the bringing together of sounds and words to develop concrete ideas and thoughts. In this paper we will discuss the components of language and how it relates to cognitive processes.

How we teach language should be based on how people learn language.   Do we learn language the way we learn everything?  Or is there some special way our brains learn language?  Today we will talk about some of the hypotheses which have been suggested for how people learn (in general) and learn language (in particular).