Age and acquisition t eaaching practicum

Age and acquisition

CRITICAL PERIOD HYPOTHESIS

The critical period hypothesis says that there is a period of growth in which full native competence is possible when acquiring a language.

This period is from early childhood to adolescence. 

Example Older learners rarely achieve a near-native accent. Many people suggest this is due to them being beyond the critical period.

HEMISPHERIC LATERALIZATION

The human brain is composed of a right and a left hemisphere and each hemisphere participates in different aspects of brain function.

The corpus collosum connects the hemispheres of the brain.

Lateralization of function between the two hemispheres does occur but after injury other regions of cortex can often compensate.

There is no such thing as being 'left-brained' or 'right-brained'.

Functional lateralization often varies between individuals.

Cognitive, Affective and Linguistic Considerations

Cognitive considerations : Piaget: Intellectual development of a child

Singleton and Ryan (2004)-Vague lack of empirical data

Affective considerations:

Oneself-identity is inextricably bound up with one’s language

Empathy Self-esteem Extroversion Inhibition Imitation Anxiety Attitudes

Linguistics considerations:

Bilingualism-Code-switching Interference between L1 and L2- Solid foundation of L1Order of acquisition - Creative construction process

Interference between First andSecond LanguageInterference

It will inevitably occur in any situation where someone has an imperfect command of a second language

Interference from the first language does not imply that interference is the most important factor in adult second language acquisition.

Adults learning a second language manifest some of the same errors found in children learning their first language.

There are a series of implications for second language learning:

Competence and Performance

Adults can make choices between two alternative forms and they are sometimes aware of grammar in a second language but they are not able to verbalize rules and paradigms consciously in their native language.

Language and Thought

Language Whorf states that

language does not only voice ideas but also shapes them

Thought

It is the idea that language and its structures limit and determine human knowledge or thought.

J. B. Watson said : Thought is language; sub-vocal speech.

“think aloud” = speech; “speak covertly”= thinking.