Questions and Answers
What is commonly taken as synonymous with native language?
Simultaneous multilingualism refers to the acquisition of a second language at a later stage.
False
Define a second language.
A language apart from the first language needed for education, employment, and other basic purposes.
What is a foreign language?
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How does language acquisition differ from language learning?
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What are the major theories of first language acquisition?
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Who proposed the theory of Behaviorism in language acquisition?
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What is operant conditioning?
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Children learn language through ______ and habit formation.
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Study Notes
First Language Acquisition
- First language is synonymous with native language, primary language, or mother tongue.
- Generally acquired during early childhood, starting before age 3.
- Simultaneous multilingualism occurs when a child acquires multiple languages early on, leading to multiple “native” languages.
Second Language
- A second language is any language learned apart from the first, often required for education or employment.
- A foreign language is less commonly used in the learner's immediate context, typically studied for travel or academic purposes.
Acquisition vs. Learning
- Language acquisition is a subconscious process where learners are unaware of grammatical rules and acquire language similarly to how they learned their first language.
- Language learning involves direct instruction of language rules, where learners consciously understand and can discuss the new language.
Theories of First Language Acquisition
- Three major theories of first language acquisition (FLA):
- Behaviourism
- Innatism
- Interactionism
Behaviourism
- Proposed by B.F. Skinner in 1957, focuses on observable behaviors rather than mental processes.
- Children are viewed as having a blank slate mind, with language seen as verbal behavior.
- Operant conditioning is crucial for language learning, emphasizing rewards and punishments.
Skinner’s Operant Conditioning
- Learning occurs through associations between behaviors and their consequences.
- Positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of a behavior repeating.
- Negative reinforcement encourages behavior by removing unpleasant stimuli.
- Positive punishment discourages behavior through negative consequences.
- Negative punishment reduces behavior by taking away privileges.
Key Factors in Language Learning
- Success in language acquisition is influenced by:
- The quality and quantity of language exposure.
- The consistency of reinforcement in the learning environment.
- Imitation and practice are fundamental processes in language development.
Examples of Learning through Imitation
- Children learn language by imitating utterances, leading to gradual acquisition of complex structures.
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Description
This quiz explores the nuances of first language acquisition and how it relates to concepts like native language and mother tongue. Participants will examine definitions and understand the differences among these terms. Ideal for students studying language acquisition theories.
