B.F skinner proposed that language acquisition is
learned the same way as any behavior. By positive and
negative reinforcements. Children are viewed as passive
recipients of language.
Example: Children may be given stickers or trinkets for correct
language usage and are repremanded for poor language usage.
Psycolinguistic Model
Noam Chomsky advocates that children are born pre-wired to
learn language. Children need only be exposed to learn it. Deals
with Universal Grammar as mentioned before.
Cognitive Model
Piaget was influential in this theory. Proposes that Children talk because
they have something to talk about. Children have experiences first...and
then have something to talk about. Cognition occurs first, and then the
appropriate language will follow
Social Interactions Model
Halladay and Pinet were apart of constructing this theory. Consists of different categories of
language. instrumental, regulatory, personal, imaginative, interactional, heuristic language,
and informative. Each of these categories are viewed as essential assets of language that all
people need to communicate successfully Teachers must allow students growth in all 7 of
these models.
Teachers should know the different
categories and give focus to all 7 of them for
children to acquire language successfully
and fully.
Stephen Krashen Theory
We acquire language only 1 way. When we UNDERSTAND messages. We call this comprehensible
input. When we understand WHAT people say and NOT HOW they say it. You're speaking ability
would emerge gradually as you are exposed continually to a new language. When you start to
speak, it is not the beginning of your language acquisition. You may listen for a very long time
before you actually speak. This time is crucial to acquiring language.
Example: Learners should not be
taught HOW to say something but
understand WHAT is being said.
When you understand that is when
you learn
Noam Chovsky's
Univeral grammer
Univeral Grammer refers to the essential parts of ALL languages.
Specifically the nouns, verbs, and adjectives. All languages have
certain things that are essential and the same across all language.