This hypothesis suggests that
language acquisition occurs
when learners receive messages
that they can understand, a
concept also known as
comprehensible input. However,
Krashen also suggests that this
comprehensible input should be
one step beyond the learner’s
current language ability
Application: This hypothesis highlights the
importance of using the specific Language
in the classroom. The goal of any language
program is for learners to be able to
communicate effectively. It is important to
provide as much comprehensible input as
possible, especially in situations when
learners are not exposed to outside of the
classroom.
Jim Cummins: BICS vs.
CALP
CALP refers to formal
academic learning. This
level of language
learning is essential for
students to succeed in
school. Students need
time and support to
become proficient in
academic areas.
What this looks like in the classroom:This
includes listening, speaking, reading, and
writing about subject area content
material.
Basic Interpersonal
Communication
Skills (BICS) are
language skills
needed in social
situations. It is the
day-to-day language
needed to interact
socially with other
people.
What this looks like: on the
playground, in the lunch room,on
the school bus, at parties, playing
sports and talking on the
telephone.
Representation:
Noam Chomsky: Universal Grammar
Universal grammar is a theory in
linguistics, proposing that the ability
to learn grammar is hard-wired into
the brain. In other words, Chomsky’s
theory is that language learning is
already facilitated and that our brains
have certain structures of language.
What this looks like in the classroom: Even before the age of 5, children
can, without having had any formal instruction,
consistently produce and interpret sentences that they
have never encountered before
ferdinand de saussure
He maintained that language can only be understood
relationally, by looking at the relationships between
different parts as a 'synchronic' system
System Representation
Classroom: Arbitrary vocal symbols
Kenji Hakuta
In the context of bilingual education
children become conversationally fluent in English before
they develop the ability actually to use English in academic
situations. Bilingual programs are commonly criticized for
keeping students too long, even after their English is "ade-
quate."
Representation:represented
as i + 1, in order to allow
learners to continue to
progress with their language
development.