M4: Second Language Acquisition Theories
| Theory of learning or language | Behaviorist | Innatist (also called Nativist) | Cognitivist | Interactionist also called Social Constructivist |
| Theorists | Pavlov, Skinner | Chomsky | Piaget | Vygotsky, Bruner |
| View of the learning process | Learning occurs when you see a change in behavior. | Learning occurs through a mental process- using your "Language Acquisition Device" or LAD | Learning occurs through mental processes (insight, information, memory, perception) | Learning occurs through interaction with the world and others (social interaction). |
| Locus of learning | stimuli in external environment | internal cognitive device (LAD) -- we are "biologically programmed" to learn language | internal cognitive structuring--you are able to learn something when your brain reaches that age/stage | learning is the relationship between people and the environment |
| Purpose in education (general ed classes) | produce desired behaviors, behavioral change | allow students to figure out language on their own, grammar is not explicitly taught until later, higher proficiency levels | develop capacity and skills to learn better | full participation in communities of practice, learning in groups and from each other --peers and teachers as well as environment |
| Educator's role | arranges environment to elicit desired response | provides language rich environment, models | structures the content of the learning activity to correspond with cognitive stage | works to establish community of practice and participation with an expert other in the appropriate ZPD (zone of proximal development) |
| Manifestations in language learning |
imitation, habit, practice mimicry, repetition
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you come to "know" things about language by being exposed to a number of examples
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cognitive development intelligence, learning, and memory is a function of age |
social participation is key you construct knowledge through interaction and support so the student can build up their linguistic knowledge |
| "say what I say" | "it's all in your mind" | "sequence and stages" | "know yourself, know others" |