How does the Output Hypothesis Impact on Second Language Acquisition.doc

How does the Output Hypothesis Impact on Second Language Acquisition 　　Abstract This paper aims to investigate the importance of output in English as Second/ Foreign Language Learning （ESL/EFL） firstly by demonstrating three functions of output. Finally， teaching implications are drawn concerning the role of output in ESL/EFL， in order to encourage optimal language development and facilitate their achievement of language proficiency. 　　Key words output， output hypothesis， SLA 　　中图分类号：H319 文献标识码：A 　　1 Overview of output in SLA 　　The output hypothesis was first put forward by Swain （1985） in connection with SLA based on the French immersion program she had conducted s in Canada. In contrast to Krashen， Swain identifies that too little language production precludes the learners from attaining second or foreign language of high level. In the research， he also states that comprehensible output does not take the responsibility for all language competence. Rather， he claims that under some circumstances， output sometimes enhances second language learning in ways that are different from those of input （Swain and Lapkin， 1995）. The notion “Output”， used to indicate the outcome or product of the language acquisition device （krashen， 1985）， is now more likely regarded as a verb interpreting the action or process of learning second language under certain situation ， such as “producing language”， “using a language” and “speaking or writing” （Swain， 1995， P125-127）. Izumi（2002） promotes the psycholinguistic rationale of this hypotheses. In 2002， Mackey provides evidence of the reality of the notion of “pushed output”. In addition， VanPatten （2003） describes “output” as the process of second or foreign language learning that the learners produce in order to communicate or express meaning. Therefore， the comprehensible output hypothesis not only functions as the practice of producing language to increase efficient output， but also promotes the advancement of the interlangu