Factors influencing the learning of a second/foreign language Some students learn a new language quickly and easily than others. This simple fact reflects the hard work and persistence of the learner. However there are other crucial factors influencing the success that are totally beyond the control of the learner. These factors can be categorized as: 1. Age: second language acquisition is influenced by the age of the learner. Many studies have found that adolescents learn more rapidly than
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Child language acquisition: nature or nurture? (final version) Introduction The study of language development‚ one of the most fascinating human achievements‚ has a long and rich history‚ extending over thousands of years (Chomsky‚ 2000). As the nature-versus-nurture argument is inevitable to arise whenever human behaviors are discussed‚ it is not surprising that language experts have debated the relative influences of genetics and the environment on language development (Hulit & Howard‚ 2002). Among
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Classical conditioning and instrumental conditioning Classical conditioning is about pairing a stimulus with another stimulus that cause a natural reaction. As a good example of Pavlov’s dog meat powder experiment‚ the dog meat powder and dog salivating is unconditional reponse which naturally occurred. However‚ if a dog was given a meat powder after the bell ring‚ eventually the dog will salivate whenever bell rings even if there are no meat powder‚ meaning‚ by pairing the two stimulus the desired
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Theories of First and Second Language Acquisition There are various theories that have been put forward to describe first and second language acquisition. This paper outlines similarities and difference between first and second language acquisition. Additionally key theoretical points on second language acquisition have been identified. Finally‚ an explanation of how I intend to use my understanding of language acquisition theory to inform my teaching practice will also be included. Similarities
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SLA Corrective Feedback in Second Language Acquisition Mounira El Tatawy Teachers College‚ Columbia University ABSTRACT Over the last few years‚ the role played by corrective feedback in language acquisition has become a highly controversial issue. In the field of First Language Acquisition (FLA)‚ researchers express strong reservations concerning the effect that negative evidence has on FLA‚ if there is any at all. In the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA)‚ however‚ there appears to
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before) they are working towards language acquisition; from “babbling” as a baby to mimicking words they hear as a toddler‚ they are ultimately working towards the same goal‚ the ability to communicate effectively. The introduction of literacy into the child’s life will assist in the child in drawing phonemic relationships quicker resulting in a stronger literary knowledge that can be used to strengthen other aspects of the child’s knowledge acquisition. The acquisition of literacy not only strengthens
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Teaching and learning : The effective teaching of grammar in modern foreign languages (MFL) ’One of the most misunderstood words in the English language has to be the word ‘grammar’ ’(Rendall‚ 2006: 53). This statement stands as the ideal starting point from which to unveil a rationale for the importance of grammar in the language acquisition process and how it has been perceived in the past decades . What is grammar ? Why and how should it be taught ? These questions‚ as basic as they look
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The main theories in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) 1. Introduction The language produced by learners learning a second language is extremely varied. It can range from one learner to another in regard to many factors. These variations can be accounted for by a number of ideas including: first language (L1) interface‚ age differences‚ motivation‚ self-confidence‚ aptitude‚ anxiety‚ gender and social distance. In this essay I will define SLA and then outline five of the main linguistic theories
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I strongly believed that languages were learned mainly through imitation. Unfortunately‚ after discussing this proposition with my classmates and teacher‚ we concluded that this statement was false. In my experience as a helper of teachers in ESL classes‚ I saw that‚ the Audio-lingual Method gave very positive results. On one hand‚ this method was designed to develop the ability of oral fluency in a second language in 9 months‚ which was also supported by a number of American linguists (Ellis R.
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Nagasaka Kobe‚ Japan There are a number of language competencies which English language learners must develop‚ in tandem‚ in order to communicate successfully in English. Any successful communicative event‚ at least one that extends beyond expressions of simple‚ immediate need‚ will require that L2 speakers have developed some mastery of the syntax‚ morphology‚ phonology and lexis of the English language. Yet‚ as many English teachers recognize‚ and as many language learners have experienced first-hand
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