2nd Language Acquisition Test

2nd LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Lieven, E. (1994): "Language addressed to children: Linguistic and Cultural Aspects" in Learning English: development and diversity. Mercer, N. and Swann, J. (eds.) (1996). London: Routledge. Lightbown, P. M. & Spada, N. (1993) "Theories of second language learning". Chapter 2 in How Languages Are Learned.Oxford University Press. Short articles Make no mistake From mother tongue to other tongue Code Switching as a Countenance of Language Interference Employee Skills and Attitudes Utilized in Workplace ESL Training The "Communicative Competence" Controversy Long Articles or books ODYSSEUS - Second language at the workplace: Language needs of migrant workers: organising language learning for the vocational/workplace context

You may do this Reflective task at any point during your work with the study materials. Note that this task is not assessed, as the aim is to get you to reflect on your views on the nature of language learning. Below are twelve general statements which explore beliefs and principles about the learning of a foreign language. Decide whether you agree or disagree with each statement. The subject Second Language Acquisition explores the possible answers to these controversial questions. 1.- It is easier for someone who already speaks a foreign language to learn another one. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

2.- People who are good at mathematics or science are not goot at learning foreign languages.

Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

3.- Everyone can learn to speak a foreign language. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

4.- First language acquisition (FLA) and SLA are very different processes. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

5.- All students learn English in a similar way. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

6.- The learning of a second language is a linear process. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

7.- Affective states do not play an important role in L2 learning. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

8.- Students learn what they are taught. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

9.- The majority of the mistakes students make in the use of the second language are due to interference from their mother tongue. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

10.- Languages are learned mainly through imitation. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

11.- Environment plays an important role in the learning of a second language.

Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

12.- Students' errors should be corrected as soon as they are made in order to prevent the formation of bad habits. Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree

Assignment:

According to Swain, ...producing the target language may be the trigger that forces the learner to pay attention to the means of expression needed in order to successfully convey his or her own intended meaning. (Swain 1985: 249) In Swain's view, learners need not only input, but output: they need to use language in order to learn it. Krashen, however, as recently as 2009, stated that: Research done over the last three decades has shown that we acquire language by understanding what we hear and read. The ability to produce language is the result of language acquisition, not the cause. Forcing students to speak English speak English. (Korea Times, 2009).

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“Is it possible to reconcile these two seemingly opposite views as to what constitutes second language acquisition or ‘learning’, as Swain puts it? Or do the two views represent two extremes of both theory and practice?” Guidelines: To answer this question in essay form, you will need to refer to alternative concepts of acquisition and learning proposed by other theorists, judge them in relation to these two apparent extremes of input versus output, and then try to draw some conclusions. You must ensure that both Krashen and Swain are discussed within the broader framework of SLA theory, and thus demonstrate that you understand the general field.