Linguistic Terminology
L1 & L2 Theories

Concept Terminology
Language and Identity
2nd language instruction
100
This term refers to the word order in a sentence.
What is syntax?
100
This language theory asserts that repetition, imitation, and positive and negative reinforcement aid in the learning of information in a first language, behavior modification, and acquisition of a second language.
What is behaviorism?
100
Around the age of puberty, the brain's specific function areas become solidified, and the left side of the brain becomes responsible for all language function.
What is lateralization of the brain?
100
Students who are literate in 2 languages have demonstrated higher critical thinking and problem solving skills, more creativity, and greater adaptability than their monolingual peers.
What are the benefits to bilingualism?
100
This is the method of 2nd language teaching where the language is taught through the areas of science, social studies, and math.
What is content-based L2 instruction?
200
This is when a student may use vocabulary from his/her first language and English mixed together in one sentence while acquiring the L2.
What is code-switching?
200
Chomsky supports this learning theory by his belief that people have a special built-in ability for L1 and L2 acquisition, and that across languages, all people share Universal Grammar (properties that all languages possess).
What is innatism?
200
This is the belief that all language errors are a result of first language interference.
What is the contrastive analysis hypothesis?
200
This language dialect has a grammatical structure that has been influenced by a variety of West African languages.
What is Ebonics?
200
Cummins coined these 2 terms to refer to a student's social-communicative language skills for daily interactions with others, and academic language skills required to be successful in school.
What are BICS (basic interpersonal communication skills) and CALP (cognitive academic language proficiency)?
300
You on a hike out in the country near a river. You are looking at a flower when your friend walks off and returns a bit later. You ask your friend, "Where did you go?" " I went to the bank," she replied. You give her a puzzling look. What linguistic area are you having trouble with?
What is pragmatics/pragmatic ambiguity?
300
Second language acquisition is seen as the building up of knowledge that can eventually be used automatically (information processing). Declarative knowledge is knowledge we are aware of having and procedural knowledge is the ability to use the knowledge. What theoretical perspective do these statements support?
What is cognitive theory?
300
To acquire true native-like fluency/pronunciation in a second language, you must acquire the language before puberty.
What is the critical period hypothesis?
300
Some ESL students' families came from Mexico and other Latin American countries by choice. Other ESL students' families came to America because they were forced to leave their countries due to war and were stuck in a camp.
What are immigrants vs. refugees?
300
Errors in meaning should be corrected, but errors in grammar need not be corrected during oral communication.
What is global vs. local errors?
400
This is the study of the structure of words in a language.
What is morphology?
400
Stephen Krashen is famous in the field of language acquisition for his monitor hypothesis, acquisition-learning hypothesis, comprehensible input hypothesis, natural order hypothesis, and affective filter hypothesis. What theoretical perspective does Krashen support?
What is innatist?
400
Before referring an ESL student to special ed., consider the learning environment, personal/family factors, physical/psychological factors, previous schooling, literacy in L1, academic achievement, and differing cultural norms.
What are the seven integral factors?
400
Preproduction, Early Production, Speech Emergence, Intermediate Fluency, and Advanced Fluency
What are the stages of 2nd language acquisition?
500
This is the study of the sounds in a language.
What is phonology?
500
A second language is learned much more successfully if there is a high degree of interaction and oral practice using the language.
What is interactionist theory?
500
This program model enrolls students who are both native Spanish and English speakers. The instruction is in Spanish, with an eventual phasing in of more English language instruction.
What is dual language instruction?
500
Students who are provided with opportunities to continue fostering their L1 development while learning a 2nd language are at an advantage compared to students who actually begin losing their skills in their L1 while acquiring an L2.
What are additive and subtractive bilingualism?
500
If there are 10 ESL students in grades K-3, and 20 in grades 4-12, then the district is required to provide bilingual/ESL programming.
What is the WI bilingual education policy?