Theoretical Perspectives on Language Learning

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Questions and Answers

What is a major critique of the UG approach to L2 acquisition?

It focuses too much on L1 interference.

It emphasizes performance over competence.

It neglects the role of social factors. (correct)

It does not account for dialectal variations.

Which hypothesis suggests that second language learners have direct access to Universal Grammar?

Partial UG access

Direct access (correct)

Indirect access

No UG access

According to the content, what is an important weakness of the UG approach?

Its reliance on auditory language processing.

Its assumption of an ideal speaker-hearer. (correct)

Its focus on theory over practice.

Its neglect of syntactical structures.

Which of the following is NOT one of the three hypotheses regarding the role of UG in SLA?

Partial access Signup and view all the answers

What aspect does the UG approach largely ignore in language acquisition?

Social context Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized by scholars criticizing the UG approach?

Psychological factors affecting learning. Signup and view all the answers

Which terminology closely aligns with the perspective that a language learner operates under ideal conditions?

Ideal speaker-hearer Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental aspect of Chomsky's ideal speaker-hearer model?

Perfect knowledge of language. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language structure is likely to be learned before the possessive in English?

The plural Signup and view all the answers

What situation did Walid face that affected his ability to focus on language lessons?

Physical tiredness from his schedule Signup and view all the answers

In the context of second language acquisition, what does the information processing approach emphasize?

The use of mental processes for interpreting experiences Signup and view all the answers

Which approach suggests there is a separate faculty for language acquisition?

The universal grammar approach Signup and view all the answers

What cognitive activity is mentioned as sharing faculties with language learning?

Interpreting mathematical problems Signup and view all the answers

What limitation did Walid experience during his language learning sessions?

Forgetting new vocabulary and expressions Signup and view all the answers

How do many researchers in the information processing framework view language learning?

As involving general cognitive faculties Signup and view all the answers

The information processing approach is rooted in which discipline?

Cognitive psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is the first stage of the information processing model presented by Atkinson and Shiffrin?

Incoming information Signup and view all the answers

What describes short-term memory in Atkinson and Shiffrin's model?

Information is manipulated and can be rehearsed. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects a critique of the information processing model?

It does not consider the role of real communicative contexts. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the information processing framework, what is a consequence of rehearsal in short-term memory?

Information can be moved to long-term memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is identified as a limitation of the information processing model?

It is based solely on laboratory studies. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes long-term memory according to Atkinson and Shiffrin's model?

It serves as a relatively unlimited store of information. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of language processing was criticized for being overly controlled in studies related to the information processing model?

Real communicative contexts Signup and view all the answers

What role does rehearsal serve in the process of transferring information from short-term to long-term memory?

It facilitates the permanent retention of information. Signup and view all the answers

What might cause a learner to produce the '–ing' form more frequently than the '–ed' form?

Articulation factors make 'talking' easier to pronounce. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential limitation of the Bilingual Syntax Measure?

It might inadvertently bias results due to reliance on oral production. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Comprehensible Input Hypothesis suggest is crucial for increasing L2 competence?

Exposure to comprehensible input at an 'i + 1' level. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of language learning, what is meant by 'i + 1' level?

The learner's current level plus one level of difficulty. Signup and view all the answers

Which response demonstrates a potential error in speech production according to the Bilingual Syntax Measure?

'He eat too much.' Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the Bilingual Syntax Measure's approach?

It uses colored diagrams to facilitate conversation. Signup and view all the answers

What is one theory attributed to Krashen regarding language acquisition?

Automatic provision of grammar follows understanding of enough input. Signup and view all the answers

What type of production does the Bilingual Syntax Measure primarily assess?

Oral production of colloquial language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Krashen's Monitor Model regarding language acquisition?

The interaction between acquired and learned knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'comprehensible input' refer to in Krashen's model?

Real messages that are slightly beyond the learner's current proficiency level Signup and view all the answers

How does the affective filter influence language learning according to Krashen's theory?

It can block access to comprehensible input Signup and view all the answers

According to Krashen's model, what is the function of the learned system?

To act as a monitor of the acquired knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'i + 1' signify in language acquisition?

The learner's current level plus the next step of challenge Signup and view all the answers

What are the two systems emphasized in Krashen's Monitor Model?

Acquisition and learning systems Signup and view all the answers

In Krashen's theory, what happens when the affective filter is high?

Learners might struggle to process comprehensible input Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the capacity for language potential in Krashen's Monitor Model?

Language Acquisition Device (LAD) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'comprehensible input' refer to in language learning?

Input that learners can partially understand Signup and view all the answers

What criticism did researchers have regarding Krashen's comprehensible input theory?

It did not provide a way to assess the learner's current level Signup and view all the answers

In the context of language learning, what does 'output' refer to?

The language that learners produce Signup and view all the answers

What does the Affective Filter Hypothesis propose?

Learners have a filter that blocks access to language acquisition under certain conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Which components can lead to the affective filter blocking language acquisition?

Anxiety and low interest in the subject Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of language learning did Swain's studies emphasize?

The significance of output in the L2 learning process Signup and view all the answers

What does Krashen suggest about the relationship between input and the learner's current level?

Input should be slightly beyond the learner's current level. Signup and view all the answers

How did researchers aim to assess the effectiveness of comprehensible input?

By measuring the quality and quantity of output produced. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Theoretical Perspectives: Past and Present

A theory determines what is observed.
Contrastive analysis (CA) approach: Emphasizes linguistic structures; Focuses on similarities and differences between languages to predict learning difficulties.
Error analysis (EA) approach: Examines learner mistakes to understand their learning process. It reveals how the language is learned.
Universal Grammar (UG) approach: Assumes language is an innate human ability; Focuses on the underlying rules of all languages (universal grammar) that are innate and not learned.
The Monitor Model/Input Hypothesis: Suggests two language learning systems: acquisition (subconscious) and learning (conscious). Learned knowledge acts as a monitor. Comprehensible input (i+1) is key.
The Affective Filter Hypothesis: Learners' emotions can block access to language acquisition.
Information processing/cognitive approach: Emphasizes mental processes in language learning. Distinguishes between controlled and automatic processing. Declares knowledge (knowing what) and procedural knowledge (knowing how).
Interaction Hypothesis: Emphasizes the role of interaction in language learning. Modifications in conversation make input understandable.
Comprehensible Output Hypothesis: Suggests that producing language prompts learners to focus on the language to improve proficiency.
The Noticing Hypothesis: Highlights the importance of learners noticing features in new language input to learn. Input is not the same as intake, the part of input that learners notice.
Emergentism and usage-based approaches: Emphasize the role of use and practice in language learning. No innate language faculty.
Cognitive Linguistics (CL): Focuses on the relationship between language, social context, and cognition. Sees language as a reflection of general cognitive processes
Complex Adaptive System (CAS): Language is viewed as a system with interacting elements. Includes the influence of social interaction, cognitive processes and the interplay of these factors together in language acquisition.
Sociocultural Approach: emphasizes the role of social interaction and mediation in language learning; Uses concepts like the "zone of proximal development" (ZPD) and "scaffolding".

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Description

Explore various theoretical frameworks that shape our understanding of language acquisition. This quiz covers approaches such as Contrastive Analysis, Error Analysis, Universal Grammar, and others, highlighting their implications on language learning. Test your knowledge on these foundational concepts in linguistics.