"Language is a biologically
controlled behavior that develops
from within, triggered by age and
environment."
Applicable to the
learner from birth
to age 2 where the
brain undergoes a
crucial
developmental
period.
Contrastive Analysis
"The theory that comparing first
and second languages can
predict what might be easy or
difficult for the learner."
No contributor mentioned
The theory was
actually proven to
not be effective
so it would be
well-advised not
to apply it in the
classroom.
Behaviorism through audiolingualism
No contributors mentioned
"The method is
behavioral,
emphasizing oral
practice such as
pattern drills of
specific
grammatical
form."
This would be student-teacher interaction with the teacher
correcting problems as they occur. No writing or writing until oral
adequacy.
Communicative Competence
Hymes
"The knowledge that enables language users to 'convey and interpret
messages and to negotiate meanings interpersonally within specific
contexts.'"
Application is through social
functioning of language:
requesting, refusing, agreeing,
telling a story, etc. One
example is roleplay.
Interlanguage Theory
Selinker
"[It] asserted that the learner's language should be viewed as creative,
with rules unique to itself, and not just a borrowed or incomplete form
of the target language."
Since this theory doesn't really view
"errors" as errors, the teacher instead
uses student mistakes to focus on what
to better instruct. I would argue that
codeswitching is similar to this except,
instead of switching languages, it almost
combines them.