Language Acquisition : The Perspective And The Cognitive Perspective

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.

Within this paper we will take a brief look at the Language Acquisition Principles and how they work on the behalf of ELL students. We will see how these principles can be applied within our own learning environment. There is much information from Walqui article that gives a brief overview of ELL students and how things looked in the past for these students. Now that times has change we will see how educators can make the requirements for ELL students better and more effective for teacher and students. Hopefully, as we look at ways of changing learning for our ELL students we must remember that every student learns differently. Even if you follow the principles from

There can be several different reasons why an English Language Learner can have troubles comprehending the English language. Poverty can play a huge role when in explaining why many English language learners have the troubles in mastering the English language. The State testing has varied throughout the years, along with the degrees of assessments and progress. Teachers also need constructive feedback to properly assess their own progress. The increase prescription of ADHD medication can also be a factor. Programs like SLADI in effect that pulls ELL’s from mainstream classrooms to focus on advanced grammatical structures of the English language; all in which, have been unsuccessful in aiding the student to acquire mastery within the English language domains of reading and writing. Comparing a personal experience I had dealt with wasted school year time, regarding an ELL student, involves a teacher being out of touch with her student and giving inappropriate leveled work. All of these issues work hand in hand. The ultimate goal is to teach literacy and to reach proficiency within the English language.

Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP), is a high quality instruction model, that guides teachers of English Language Learners (ELL) in providing well planed lessons, to enable students to be successful in second language acquisition. The SIOP is research-based, and field-tested as well as being closely aligned to ELL and State content language standards. The purposes of this paper is to create and describe a SIOP model lesson plan, and identify and

Under the Civil Rights Act, schools are responsible for ensuring that all students receive equal access to education, including English Language Learners (ELLs). Merely, providing the same educational resources for all students does not constitute educational equality. Students such as ELLs, need an English Language Development (ELD) program that accommodates their specific language needs in order to legitimately offer equal educational opportunities. Based on research findings, districts need to implement and developing ELD programs that have had proven success rates of making adequate yearly progress for ELLs. For years, psychologists and linguistic theorists have speculated on the acquisition of language and educators have studied these research findings to enhance their teaching pedagogy to accommodate their ELLs.

ELLs face a series of adversities in their attempts to attain academic literacy and language development. For instance, they are exposed to curricula designed for monolingual English students. Another adversity is that teachers are not well prepared regarding the content-area they teach and consequently do not provide the needed explicit instruction (Ávalos, Zisselsberger, Langer-Osuna, & Secada, 2015 p.259). It is the task for teachers and school administrators to master the content of the area to be taught and to use optimal pedagogical practices which reflect such teachers’ knowledge (Ávalos, Zisselsberger, Langer-Osuna, & Secada, 2015 p.261). They should provide learners with favorable circumstances to attain English language and literacy

Numerous theories try to explain the process of language acquisition. These theories fall into one of two camps. The environmentalist (or connectionist) theory of language acquisition asserts that language is acquired through environmental factors (Halvaei et al. 811). Theorists in this camp believe that a child learns language by gaining information from the outside world and then forming associations between words and objects. The nativist (or rationalist) approach, on the other hand, asserts that it is innate factors that determine language acquisition. Noam Chomsky, often described as “the father of modern linguistics”, falls into this camp as he believes that speech is the result of hidden rules of language that are hidden somewhere in the brain (Rahmani and Abdolmanafi 2111). Steven Pinker, a colleague of Chomsky, is a renowned psychologist, cognitive scientist and linguist who discusses his own theories on language acquisition in his book Words and Rules.

The purpose of this paper is to address the current state of instruction for students who are acquiring English as a second language and demonstrate appropriate instructional supports that will aid English Language Learners, ELLs, to succeed in the classroom. We begin by identifying the student participant, the demographics of the community, school, and classroom, the methodology of the case study, and limitations. We will then analyze findings based on interviews, student work, and observations then conclude with recommendations that will support ELLs through the process of acquiring English. Finally, a reflection on the case study will be included that addresses the experience of the observer and impacts for future practice.

Teachers can plan effective English acquisition strategies based on a knowledge of the learners’ L1

The acquisition of language forms a fundamental basis for a child’s development, it is an essential social skill which children need for communicating, building relationships with others, and learning (Brock and Rankin, 2008). As a general rule acquisition of language follows a systematic sequence (Boyd and Bee, 2009), however some children experience atypical language development and are developmentally delayed with certain characteristics of language (Hawa and Spanoudis, 2013). In the case of Marcus, a contributing factor towards his speech delay may have been psychosocial deprivation and a lack of interaction and infant directed speech from his Mother (Hill and Saffran, 2005). It appears there are many theories relating to the discourse about how children acquire and develop language, and there have been many notable contributions and concepts offered across the decades; however no one theory is able to offer irrefutable evidence as to how language is acquired (Otto, 2006). Historically there is some dissension amongst psychologists about the origins of language acquisition, and whether this is due to nature or nurture (Hulit and Howard, 2002); however neuroscience research supports the idea that children possess a biological predisposition to detect and process language signals (Slater, 1998). Piagetian theory offers an outline of child development in terms of language acquisition and cognitive processing (Heo et al., 2011); however Piaget’s theories neglect

Language acquisition is the way in which humans perceive and understand a certain language, as well as producing and using words and sentences in order to communicate with one another. The way in which people learn another language is known as Second Language Acquisition, this refers to someone learning a language other than their mother tongue. A very important aspect within this process is cross-linguistic influence. Cross-linguistic influence is a term used to describe the various ways that certain language systems in the brain interact with and influence one and other. It explains how they can affect either the linguistic performance or the linguistic development of the learner, if not both. This most commonly refers to two separate languages, for example the effect that French has on a native speaker trying to learn another language such as Italian.

Language acquisition is the study of how language is learned. There are two different ways to study language acquisition: by observing and describing. There is a clear difference in the way that adults and children speak. "Children do not perfect their native pronunciation for several years, but they establish crucial phonological patterns in the early months that serve them for life" (Herschensohn 29). Phonology is the study of the sound patterns that occur within languages. By studying phonology, you can pinpoint patterns within speech to understand the processes a child uses when speaking.

Language acquisition is the study of how humans acquire a set of semantic, syntactic, morphological and phonological categories and rules that underlie their ability to speak and understand the language to which they are exposed. (Parker and Riley, 2005)

Throughout my life I have encountered and worked with adults that come from different native backgrounds. Many of them come to America in search of better opportunities. As a result, they come with their first language mastered and now they must learn a second language. America continues to be the destination of immigrants around the world. Millions will continue coming here even by risking their lives. This paper is very important, as an educator I will consistently meet families and students learning English. It will also help me further understand difficulties L2 learners face allowing me to tackle these problems with

The hypotheses in Krashen’s theory of second language acquisition supports the ESOL students in many ways as each hypotheses in the theory is like an approach for teaching. For example the affective filter hypothesis talks about the the importance of making lessons motivating, builds self-confidence and low anxiety (Krashen, 1982). Providing comprehensive input in low anxiety situation with messages that are meaningful for learners. These hypotheses do not force learning, but accommodates students to learn when they are comfortable and ready. Through learning about Krashen’s theory, I have noticed that Vygotsky’s concept of zone of proximal development (ZPD) in social constructivism display similarities. Vygotsky Social constructivism approach emphasis on the social context of learning and see that