- Language is learned just like any
other behavior.
- Children are motivated to
learn language due to the
reinforcement they receive.
- Learners need practice and
repetition to learn the language.
Application: To teach
students according to the
Behaviorist Theory, a
teacher should give
little tokens as a reward to students who
answer questions.
This pup is so excited
about receiving his
positive reinforcement!
Innatist Theory--Naom Chomsy
-Children are pre-wired to learn
language.
-We all have Language Acquisition
Devices (LADs) so we are predestined
to learn language.
-Learners only need to be
exposed to the language for
LAD to take over.
Application: Teachers
should teach students
completely in the target
language for students' LAD
to be allowed to take over.
This dog's instincts,
like LAD, take over
when he hunts!
Cognitive Model--Piaget
-Children talk because there is
something to talk about.
-Cognitive
development comes
before language
development.
This pup
apparently has
something to talk
about!
-Meaning of target
words are important.
Application: Give students
experiences inside the classroom to
talk about it the target language! A
good example of this would be
showing a movie located in the
culture of the target language the
students are learning.
Social-Interaction Model--Lev
Vygotsky
-This theory is all about
language use and focuses on the
communicative functions of
language.
There are 7 categories of language
used: instrumental, regulatory,
interactional, personal, imaginative,
heuristic, and informative.
Application: Use each type of language in class
in order to appeal to all types of learners. You
could have your students use personal
language by creating a skit in the target
language.
This dog owner is
using regulatory
language to control
her dog.
Natural Approach--Steven Krashen
-Comprehensible input is all
that is needed to acquire a
second language.
-Learner acquires fluent
speech in a natural way.
-A student's affective filter
influences how quickly they
will learn the language.
-The learner goes through a silent
phase while receiving
comprehensible input.
Application: Teach in the target
language to allow students to learn
naturally. Be exciting, use repetition,
and gestures so that students' affective
filters don't rise when they
misunderstand you.
This dog is silently
receiving comprehensible
input! Maybe not very
comprehensible to him...