Key Theories if SLA
In Gass’s (1984) review, these common structures across all languages may shape learners’ interlanguage, independent of their first language.
language universals
He is best known for his work on the Interaction Hypothesis and his review of the effectiveness of second language instruction.
Michael/Mike Long (from Long, 1983)
What do we call the language input that is understood by the learner, even if it includes structures slightly beyond their current level?
According to Long (1983), which implicit feedback like helps learners adjust their language use without interrupting communication, making it an effective way to support language acquisition.
recasts
This is the language system that learners create as they progress towards advanced proficiency in the target language.
Interlanguage
According to Long (1983), what is the role of instruction in second language acquisition?
Instruction promotes second language acquisition and is particularly useful even in acquisition-rich environments.
Which SLA scholar proposed the Input Hypothesis?
Stephen Krashen
This is the process where incorrect language forms become permanent in a learner’s interlanguage and are resistant to correction.
Fossilization
What distinction does Gass (1984) make between implicit and explicit feedback in terms of learner uptake and error correction?
Gass highlights that explicit feedback directly addresses learner errors, making them more noticeable, while implicit feedback like recasts may not always lead to immediate uptake but promotes internalization over time.
What do we call the influence of the learner's native language (L1) on their acquisition of a second language (L2)?
Language transfer
What key assumption of Krashen's Natural Order Hypothesis is challenged by the findings from Long’s (1983) review on second language instruction, and why?
Krashen's Natural Order Hypothesis posits that grammatical structures are acquired in a predictable sequence, regardless of explicit instruction. Long challenges this by presenting evidence that targeted instruction can influence the order of acquisition, particularly for complex structures, suggesting that instruction can modify or accelerate the natural order.
Who explored the differences between transfer and universals in shaping second language interlanguage?
Susan Gass (from Gass, 1984)
What do we call the interaction where learners and native speakers or peers work to resolve misunderstandings or clarify language during communication?
How does Long (1983) evaluate the relative effectiveness of feedback in promoting language acquisition compared to naturalistic exposure?
Long suggests that feedback, especially when combined with structured instruction, can significantly enhance language acquisition compared to naturalistic exposure alone.
In Freeman and Johnson’s (1998) reconceptualization of teacher education, what role do teachers’ prior experiences play in shaping their teaching knowledge?
Teachers' prior experiences as learners and professionals significantly shape their beliefs and practices, and thus should be acknowledged as a core component of their knowledge base.
What does Long (1983) conclude about the relative effectiveness of form-focused instruction in SLA?
Long concludes that form-focused instruction can be effective, particularly in helping learners focus on specific linguistic forms that may not be acquired naturally.
Who contributed to the discussion on the divide between second language acquisition research and classroom practice, questioning how research findings can be effectively applied to teaching?
Lourdes Ortega (from Horii, 2014)
This is the gap between what learners can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance and support from a more knowledgeable other
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
According to Long (1983), what role does negotiation of meaning play in the feedback process in SLA?
Long (1983) argues that negotiation of meaning, which often involves feedback, is crucial for language learning because it prompts learners to modify their output and gain a deeper understanding of linguistic forms.
According to Freeman and Johnson (1998), what is a key critique of traditional models of language teacher education?
Traditional models view teacher knowledge as the transmission of academic theory, which overlooks the socially constructed and experiential nature of teaching knowledge.
According to Gass (1984), how do language transfer and language universals interact in interlanguage development, and what are the implications of this interaction for understanding learner errors?
Gass (1984) explains that while language transfer (influence from a learner’s L1) affects interlanguage development, language universals (innate linguistic principles) also shape learner language. The interaction of these two forces suggests that some errors are influenced by the L1, while others are developmental and occur regardless of L1 background. This distinction helps researchers differentiate between transfer-related errors and those driven by universal acquisition processes.
This scholar is known for the Sociocultural Theory of language learning, emphasizing the importance of interaction and scaffolding.
Lev Vygotsky
This refers to how instruction, when compared to naturalistic learning, can enhance and speed up the acquisition of certain linguistic features
Relative utility of instruction (Long, 1983)
In Gass’s (1984) discussion of feedback, what is the relationship between transfer and learners' responses to corrective feedback?
Gass (1984) suggests that transfer from the L1 can influence how learners interpret and respond to feedback, with some errors being more resistant to correction if they align with L1 structures.
How does Gass (1984) describe the importance of developmental sequences in SLA?
Gass explains that learners follow certain developmental sequences in acquiring linguistic structures, which may be influenced by both language universals and transfer from the L1, regardless of instruction.