Child Language Acquisition Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of the 'following in order to lead' approach in teaching children language?

  • Guiding children’s discovery of language (correct)
  • Setting strict rules for language usage
  • Overloading children with new vocabulary
  • Encouraging children to talk less

In the IRF model, what does the 'F' stand for?

  • Facilitation
  • Feedback (correct)
  • Follow-up
  • Follow through

What are the two cognitive skills that children possess according to Tomasello's usage-based theory?

  • Memory retention and observation
  • Imitation and repetition
  • Listening and speaking
  • Intention-reading and pattern-finding (correct)

Which of the following is an example of a directing exchange?

<p>Teacher: Please open your textbooks. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which dimension is NOT part of Tomasello's usage-based theory of language acquisition?

<p>Philosophical dimension (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which exchange type involves students responding with an optional follow-up dialogue?

<p>Informing exchange (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The interactions in the IRF model primarily take place between which two parties?

<p>Teachers and students (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of Halliday's functions of language is primarily used to convey desires?

<p>Instrumental (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does intention-reading as described in Tomasello's theory help children?

<p>By allowing them to determine adult speakers' goals (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of ‘eliciting exchanges’ in the classroom?

<p>To encourage critical thinking and engagement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of the regulatory function of language?

<p>&quot;You must finish your homework&quot; (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why should parents not use deliberate methods to teach children to talk?

<p>It may overwhelm the child with information (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'IRF' model in terms of classroom interaction?

<p>It emphasizes a cyclical pattern of engagement (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which approach does Halliday’s functions of language align with regarding children’s language use?

<p>Functional approach (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of ‘pattern-finding’ in language acquisition as described by Tomasello?

<p>To extract abstract linguistic schemas from utterances (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes an aspect of Halliday's functions of language?

<p>The imaginative function allows for creativity in expressions (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does positive reinforcement impact a child's development of expressive language skills?

<p>It strengthens the child's inclination to communicate effectively. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does negative reinforcement play in a child’s language use?

<p>It prompts the child to refine their linguistic expressions based on feedback. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Noam Chomsky's concept of the language acquisition device (LAD) suggests that children are:

<p>Biologically prewired to detect and acquire language features. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do children learn to modify their verbal expressions according to the feedback they receive?

<p>Through a combination of positive and negative reinforcement. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In what way does praise function within a child's language development?

<p>It reinforces the connection between effective language use and positive recognition. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of a lack of acknowledgment for a child's verbal expressions?

<p>It can lead to confusion and hinder language development. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is NOT part of Chomsky's language acquisition device according to his theory?

<p>Cognitive reasoning skills (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Halliday's functions of language, which function is primarily focused on expressing personal feelings and attitudes?

<p>Personal function (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Usage-based theory

A theory stating that language structure arises from language use and children learn language by identifying adult speakers' intentions and extracting patterns from language.

Intention-reading

The ability of children to understand and interpret the intentions of speakers, particularly when they use language to achieve social goals.

Pattern-finding

The ability of children to identify patterns and regularities in language, allowing them to extract abstract linguistic rules.

Functions of language

The purpose or function for which language is used, encompassing different aspects of communication.

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Instrumental function

The use of language to fulfill needs or desires, such as asking for food or comfort.

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Regulatory function

The use of language to control or influence the behavior of others, such as giving commands or making requests.

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Interactive function

The use of language to build relationships, express emotions, and strengthen bonds with others.

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Imaginative function

The use of language to create imaginary worlds, tell stories, and express creativity.

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Positive reinforcement in language development

The process where a child's vocalization of needs leads to their being met, strengthening the link between expressing needs and receiving positive outcomes.

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Negative reinforcement in language development

The absence of a desired response to a child's vocalization, acting as a subtle cue to refine their language for better understanding.

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Positive feedback in language development

Praise or recognition given to a child for using language accurately, effectively, or at a more advanced level, further encouraging language development.

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Negative feedback in language development

Correction or lack of acknowledgment for incorrect language use, subtly guiding the child to adjust their language usage.

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Innate Theory of Language Acquisition

Noam Chomsky's theory suggesting that humans are born with an innate ability to learn language, aided by a biological language acquisition device (LAD).

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Language Acquisition Device (LAD)

A biologically endowed capacity in children that allows them to identify and learn the rules of language, including sound patterns, grammar, and meaning.

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Phonological awareness

The ability to recognize and use the sounds of language, like distinguishing between 'b' and 'd' sounds.

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Syntactic understanding

The ability to follow rules of grammar, like forming plurals or asking questions.

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IRF Model

The teacher initiates a conversation, the student responds, and the teacher provides feedback. This pattern is common in classrooms.

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Informing Exchange

This exchange is used to share new information, facts, or interesting details. The teacher provides the information, and the students can respond if they wish.

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Directing Exchange

The teacher instructs the students to perform a specific action. The students respond by physically completing the action. The teacher may give feedback.

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Eliciting Exchange

These are the most common classroom exchanges. The teacher asks a question, the student provides an answer, and the teacher then gives their feedback.

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Guiding Language Learning

Parents should guide their children's language discovery but not overwhelm them with information. They should follow the child's lead and respect their pace.

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Child-led Learning

Children often indicate when they are ready to learn new information and can express their reluctance. Overloading them can hinder their learning.

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Complete IRF Exchange

It involves the teacher initiating, the student responding, and the teacher offering feedback, thus forming a complete IRF exchange.

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Incomplete IRF Exchange

It includes initiation by the teacher, response from the student, and optional feedback from the teacher. This exchange is categorized as I(R) because the student response is optional.

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Study Notes

Child Language Acquisition Table of Contents

  • Stages of Child Language Acquisition
  • Stages of Cognitive Development - Jean Piaget
  • The development of children's understanding of grammar
  • Vygotsky's Sociocultural Cognitive Theory
  • B. F. Skinner's theory of operant conditioning
  • Sinclair's Initiation-Response-Feedback Model (1975)
  • Tomasello's usage-based theory (2003)
  • Halliday's functions of language (1975)
  • Halliady's theory of child language learning (1975)
  • Barry Kroll's Theory of writing development (1981)
  • Joan Rothery's (1994) 4 categories for evaluating children's writing
  • Aitchison's Stages of Children's Linguistic Development (1987)
  • Glossary

Stages of Child Language Acquisition

  • Pre-Linguistic (0-6 months): Noises include crying, whimpering, and cooing; these are involuntary responses to stimuli, not considered true language
  • Babbling (6-8 months): Child hears speech syllables and tries to imitate and repeat them; two types: canonical/repetitive babbling (repeating the same syllables) and variegated babbling (using a variety of syllables).
  • Universality of Babbling Inventory: All children produce similar sounds when babbling, irrespective of the language spoken around them.
  • Universality of Bubbling Inventory: A universal tendency across language families for children to babble similar sounds, regardless of the specific language the child is exposed to.
  • Think of the words: In this stage, children start using the words for items and caregivers.

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development

  • Piaget's theory posits four stages of cognitive development, with each stage representing a distinct way of understanding the world, from birth to adulthood.
  • Schemas: Actions or mental representations that organise knowledge and understanding.
  • Assimilation: Incorporating new information into existing schemas; for example a toddler might initially call all vehicles “cars”
  • Accommodation: Modifying or creating new schemas to accommodate new information.

Vygotsky's Sociocultural Cognitive Theory

  • Vygotsky's theory stresses the importance of social learning.
  • More Knowledgeable Other (MKO): Someone with greater knowledge or ability than the learner; this is a facilitator for the child.
  • Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD): The area between what a child can do independently and what they can do with guidance or help from a knowledgeable partner.

B.F. Skinner's Theory of Operant Conditioning

  • Children imitate the language of their caregivers.
  • Successful attempts are reinforced by the caregivers; unsuccessful attempts aren't.

Tomasello's Usages-Based Theory

  • Language structure emerges from language use, drawing on general cognitive skills
  • Children develop understanding of the intentions of others and the patterns in language.

Halliday's Functions of Language

  • Instrumental function: Language is used to fulfil needs
  • Regulatory function: Directing or persuading others
  • Interactional function: Establishing relationships
  • Personal function: Expressing emotions and personality
  • Heuristic function: Investigating the world
  • Imaginative function: Creating fictional scenarios
  • Representational function: Sharing information

Barry Kroll's Theory of Writing Development

  • Stage 1: Preparatory: Child masters basic motor and spelling skills.
  • Stage 2: Consolidation (up to age 6): Child writes similarly to speaking, declarative and incomplete sentences.
  • Stage 3: Differentiation (up to age 9): Child identifies different writing styles and structures.
  • Stage 4: Integration (12 and above): Child develops a personal writing style.

Joan Rothery's Categories for Evaluating Children's Writing

  • Observation/comment: Making an observation and adding an evaluation.
  • Recount: Chronological sequence of events.
  • Report: Factual description of events.
  • Narrative: Story structure.

Aitchison's Stages of Children's Linguistic Development

  • Labelling: Connecting sounds with objects e.g., "Mummy" for mother.
  • Packaging: Understanding the range of a word’s meaning and where these can be applied.
  • Network Building: Understanding similarities and opposites in meaning.

Sinclair and Coulthard's Initiation-Response-Feedback Model

  • A framework for analysing classroom discourse.
  • Initiates with the teacher and then responses from the student.
  • Lastly, provides feedback from the teacher.

Tomasello's Usage-Based Theory

  • Language is structured through use and drawing on general cognitive skills.
  • Intentions and patterns in language are identified.

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