Lecture 2. General Theories of Second Language Learning.pptVIP

Applied Linguistics: An Overview Wood, Xiangtan University Outline What is language? Defining applied linguistics Characteristics of language learning Basic positions on language acquisition Characteristics of SLA Characteristics of SLA Theories of L2 Learning Behaviorism Main accounts of Behaviorism Learning as habit formation Habit: the association of a particular response with particular stimulus observable automatic Stimulus —— Responsible —— Reinforcement Language learning, first and second, was most successful when the task was broken down into a number of stimulus and response links, which could be systematically practiced and mastered one at a time. Errors are undesirable Interference: old habits get in the way of learning new habits. The grammatical apparatus programmed into the mind as the first language interferes with the smooth acquisition of the other. Behaviorism’s predication: Differences between L1 and L2 ? create difficulties Similarities between L1 and L2 ? facilitate learning Errors: evidence of non-learning, of the failure to overcome the existing habits. There is a danger of errors becoming habits in their own right if they were tolerated. The Corresponding Linguistic Theory of Behaviorism Structural linguistics/Structuralism American Structuralism Bloomfield: Suppose a boy and his GF are talking in a walk. The girl is hungry and sees some apples on the tree. She makes some sounds and the boy jumps over the fence, climbs up the tree, picks an apple, gives it to the girl and the girl eats it. (1) the practical event prior to the act of speech —— the girl’s hunger, the sight of apples, and her relationship with the boy (Stimulus) (2) speech —— “some sounds” (Response/Stimulus) (3) the practical event prior to the act of speech ——