...Theory of Teaching Discussion Questions for Chapter 3: Individual differences in second Language Learning Research on learner characteristics 1. It is difficult to assess the influence that people characteristics have on the development of L2 learning because these are rust labels for an entire range of behaviors and characteristics, characteristics such as these are not independent of each other. Another difficulty is how language proficiency is defined and measured. 2. It would help us to understand better the way us humans learn. Intelligence 3. I think it is because learner’s strengths and weakness in these different aptitude components may account for their ability to succeed in different types of instructional programs. People who have high IQ would feel more compatible with grammar lessons and the students who have more communicative approach feel better in audio-lingual methods. Aptitude 4. Abilities targeted by language aptitude test are irrelevant for the language acquisition in communicative language teaching. I disagree with this statement because Leila Ranta (2002) found that children who were good at analyzing language were the most successful learners in an English second language program in which activities almost never involved direct attention to grammar. 5. Wesche (1981): Reported a high level of students and teacher satisfaction when students were matched with compatible teaching environments. Erlam(2005): She found that the learners...
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...Has self-monitoring ability and critical sensitivity to language use • Is able to develop the target language more and more as a separate reference system and is able to learn to think in it According to Rod Ellis The good language learner will: • Be able to avoid developing negative anxiety and inhibitions in response to the group dynamics of the learning context • Seek out all opportunities to use the target language • Make maximum use of the opportunities afforded to practice listening to and responding to speech in L2 addressed to him or her or to others, attending to meaning rather than form • Supplement learning derived from direct contact with speakers of the L2 with learning derived from study techniques (such as making vocabulary lists) and involving attention to form • Possess sufficient analytic skills to perceive, categorize, and store the linguistic features of the L2, and also to monitor errors • • • Possess a strong reason for learning the L2 (which may reflect an...
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...Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Maí 2013 Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Enska Second Language Acquisition The Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs í ensku Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Kt.: 030382-4209 Leiðbeinandi: Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir Maí 2013 Abstract This paper looks into the competence of second language acquisition by investigating how second language is acquired. Furthermore it explores the age factor in learning another language other than mother tongue and also attempts to answer if there is enough current evidence that can demonstrate clearly that starting young makes any real difference in achieving better language competence. Moreover, research such as on motivation in relation to the learning environment along with language exposure and attitudes will be discussed and data analysed to find out if it plays any significant role in aiding learners to achieve successful second language competence. It has been a common belief that starting young to learn a second language makes a significant difference in language learning. However, results indicate that this is not entirely true in all cases since there are further factors that affect successful second language acquisition achievement such as language exposure and motivation. Consequently, if there is not enough language exposure, this might prevent the learners from succeeding in learning the language. Clearly, those factors, motivation and exposure, seem...
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...Can Grammar or Phonetics be taught through Games? Table of Contents I. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………..……………1 II. What is Grammar?……………………………………………...………………………………2 III. The place of Grammar in the language teaching……………….…………...2-4 IV. Games and Grammar teaching/learning: A.Background of Grammar Games……………………………………………..…..……4 B.The function of Games………………………………………………………………4-5 C.The roles of teachers and learners………………………………….………5-6 D.Factors affecting Grammar Games: Age……………………………………………………………………..………6-7 Ability in the target language…………………………………..7 Motivation…………………………………………………………………..7-8 Size of group…………………………………………………………..8-9 Time…………………………………………………………………………....9 V. Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………...………10 VI. Appendix……………………………………………………………………………….…11-13 Introduction This paper aims at discussing the issue of teaching grammar through game activities, which derives its importance from the pursuit of excellence in language learning and teaching. At this point it is probably a good idea to start with some definitions of grammar, followed by the place of grammar in language teaching. In this context, researchers speak of the grammars of a language rather than of the grammar. Therefore, different methods of teaching a language will be presented and two of them will be discussed individually; that is to say, structural and communicative. What I would like to take into consideration...
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...GLA Factors affecting SLA success Topic 4: Factors affecting L2 learning Conceptual objective: the students will be able to enumerate those factors connected to L2 learning success Procedural objective: the students will explore those factors that have promoted their success as language learners, making a chart and comparing it with other people Attitudinal objective: the students will develop a critical attitude towards the causal correlations between factors and learning success Attitudinal objective: the students will realize the need for further research A. Internal/ Individual B. External a. 1. Age 2. Aptitude 3. Motivation and Attitude 4. Personality 5. Cognitive Style 6. Hemisphere specialisation 7. Learning Strategies 1. Learning and Teaching Contexts 2.Teaching a second language: Effects 2.1. Input and interaction: How these elements affect learning A.1. AGE AND L2 LEARNING • Effects of age on RATE of second language learning ΚAdults are superior to children in rate of acquisition ΚOlder children learn more rapidly than younger children ΚWith regards to morphology and syntax, the adolescents do best, followed by the adults and then the children ΚGrammar differences diminish over time, and children begin to catch up, but adults outperform children in the short term Κ Where pronunciation is concerned, adults do not always progress more rapidly than children do Thus: adults learn faster than children, and this is more applicable to grammar than pronunciation, although...
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...Motivation 1 Motivation and Its Role in Language Acquisition Robert A. Cote SLAT 596Y Dr. Linda Waugh December 15, 2004 Motivation 2 “Motivation represents one of the most appealing, yet complex, variables used to explain individual differences in language learning” (MacIntyre et al. 2001, p. 462). These words succinctly describe the multifaceted issue that researchers, classroom instructors and language learners themselves have faced since Gardner and Lambert brought to light the complexities of motivation via their studies in the late 1950’s. The number of factors involved in motivating persons to acquire a foreign language has increased tremendously during the past four decades and attempting to address all of these components in one paper is impractical. The author will therefore attempt to present a limited overview of motivation, supporting research from both inside and outside of the classroom and views challenging its validity. Prior to exploring motivation and its function in language acquisition, one must first understand the term in its general sense. MacIntyre et al. defined motivation as “an attribute of the individual describing the psychological qualities underlying behavior with respect to a particular task” (2001, p. 463). This goal-directed behavior shows itself through distinct actions of the motivated individual. Dörnyei described this explicitly when he wrote the following: The motivated individual expends effort, is persistent...
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...CHALLENGES STUDENTS FACE IN LEARNING ESSAY WRITING SKILLS IN ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MANGA DISTRICT, NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA BY NYANG’AU BENARD NYASIMI E55/CE/14078/2009 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION KENYATTA UNIVERSITY JULY 2013 * DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for degree in any other university. Signature: ______________________________ Date: ________________________ BY NYANG’AU BENARD NYASIMI E55/CE/14078/2009 We confirm that this thesis was carried out by the candidate under our supervision as university supervisors. Signature------------------------------------------------------ Date-------------------------- Dr .Sophia. Ndethiu. Department of Educational Communication and Technology. Kenyatta University. Signature------------------------------------------------------ Date------------------------- Dr. John. Kimemia. Department of Educational Communication and Technology. Kenyatta University. * DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my loving wife Zipporah Nyasimi and our sons Philemon Siko and Enock Ongeri . * ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I wish to acknowledge the support of those individuals who made it possible for a successful completion of this work. Special thanks go to my supervisors Dr. Sophia Ndethiu and Dr. John. Kimemia for the support, guidance...
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...This activity is based on the NATURAL APPROACH (Krashen & Terrell, 1983; Terrell et al, 1997) as it is possible to recognize in the reading the elements that are involved in it . These elements are Comprehensible Input, Natural Order, Language Acquisition, Monitor, and the Affective Filter. At the beginning of the article the author mentions that the use of charts and tables is a good way of providing comprehensible input imbedded in a meaningful context. According to Krashen the Input Hypothesis answers the question of how a language acquirer develops competency over time. He states that a language acquirer who is at "level i" must receive comprehensible input that is at "level i+1." "We acquire, in other words, only when we understand language that contains structure that is 'a little beyond' where we are now." This understanding is possible due to using the context of the language we are hearing or reading and our knowledge of the world and this is possible using instructional material based on real information as in the reading. Another interesting idea worth mentioning is the fact that these charts and tables can be used not only with basic level students but also with more advanced supporting the idea that the speech emerges in stages. The article points out that students at the first levels should only answer simple questions with one word. On the other hand advanced students might provide more elaborated answers emphasizing the feature that the input should...
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...Mother Tongue and L2 English Learners I remember the time when I was told that in an English class the use of the mother tongue cannot be acceptable because it is not beneficial for students to learn a foreign language. So I asked to myself, why? Because I knew that you cannot speak in Spanish all the time, but “never”? In my classes I accept it for some activities and for others I do not. According to Davis Carless “Students use of the mother tongue in the task-based classroom”, the use of the native language or mother tongue (MT) is quite complex because it could be beneficial for learners but, at the same time, it could not. In general, the use of MT is stigmatized by some methods, and teachers who cannot handle a class in the target language (TL) feel frustrated by the overuse of the students’ first language. However, as the writer claims, by taking into account the type of tasks we give to our students we can analize which are the ones that imply a positive effect on the second language acquisition and the ones that imply negative effects. Thus, teachers will be able to handle a task-based class with both languages in interaction. Firstly, Carless argues that the use of MT may have positive and negative effects on second language acquisition. Positive effects seem to “serve social and cognitive functions, including the construction of scaffolded assistance and create through collaborative dialogue the opportunity for language acquisition to take place.” In fact, through...
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...Accounting and finance degrees: is the academic performance of placement students better? Abstract The relationship between placement and academic performance on accounting and finance degrees is significantly under-researched. This paper examines the relationship between a number of factors, including placement, and academic performance as measured by average marks. Readily available data on placement status, gender and prior achievement for the academic years ended 2004, 2005 and 2006 for an accounting and finance degree were used. Linear regression models were constructed using two versions of the data – one with all students in it and the second with graduates only. Placement students perform significantly better than full-time students and, in the Graduates model, it is the female placement students who perform significantly better than their male counterparts. Most recent prior academic performance is significant in all models whereas gender had no separate significant effect on performance in the second and final years of the degree. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research into placement. Keywords: academic performance, placement, gender, work-based learning Introduction There is a considerable body of UK and overseas research investigating the influence of particular factors on academic performance. Factors such as gender, prior academic achievement and course type have been examined over a wide range of degree courses (see for example Morrison et...
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...2005/ED/EFA/MRT/PI/9 Background paper prepared for the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2005 The Quality Imperative The importance of mother tongue-based schooling for educational quality Carole Benson 2004 This paper was commissioned by the Education for All Global Monitoring Report as background information to assist in drafting the 2005 report. It has not been edited by the team. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and should not be attributed to the EFA Global Monitoring Report or to UNESCO. The papers can be cited with the following reference: “Paper commissioned for the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2005, The Quality Imperative”. For further information, please contact efareport@unesco.org The importance of mother tongue-based schooling for educational quality Commissioned study for EFA Global Monitoring Report 2005 Carol Benson, Ph.D. Centre for Research on Bilingualism Stockholm University 14 April 2004 Part A: Overview While there are many factors involved in delivering quality basic education, language is clearly the key to communication and understanding in the classroom. Many developing countries are characterized by individual as well as societal multilingualism, yet continue to allow a single foreign language to dominate the education sector. Instruction through a language that learners do not speak has been called “submersion” (Skutnabb-Kangas 2000) because it is analogous to...
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...In this respect, the methods obviously excluded translation, and instead rested heavily on utilizing L2 exclusively, both within and beyond the language...
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...communicative activities, in particular reading and listening activities, during which the learner's attention is focused on the meaning rather than on the form of language. These popular views on intentional and incidental learning reflect, at best, only partially the ways in which these terms have been and are being used in the academic literature. Some empirical researchers attribute to them only a specific methodological meaning, in the context of laboratory-type learning experiments. Apart from this methodological sense, incidental and intentional learning have been given various interpretations, sometimes indistinguishable from two more widely used terms, namely implicit and explicit learning, respectively. There are virtually no experimental L2 grammar learning studies which are explicitly presented as “intentional” learning studies, and only a handful which are explicitly presented as studies on “incidental” learning. There is a vast literature, however, of empirical studies in incidental and intentional vocabulary learning. These empirical studies reflect a wide variety of theoretical and educational/pedagogic research questions; they, therefore, do not constitute a coherent research domain, as will become apparent in...
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...writing this thesis, to the University of Oslo and to the University of Cardiff for useful information. I thank my family, mum, dad and Johannes for the University of Oslo, October 30, 2009 2 Table of contents 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………6 1.1 Motivation……………………………………………………………………………………………………7 2. Theoretical background…………………………………………………………………9 2.1 Foreign Language Anxiety……………………………………………………………………………9 2.1.2 Debilitating and Facilitating Anxiety…………………………………………………………..12 2.1.5 Components and sources of Foreign Language Anxiety ……………………………...16 2.1.4 Different perspectives: Trait, State and Situation Specific Anxiety……………….14 2.1.1 Foreign Language Anxiety in early studies……………………………………………….....11 2.1.3 Foreign Language Anxiety in later studies…………………………………………………..13 2.1.5.2 Test Anxiety………………………………………………………………………………………………....19 2.1.5.3 Fear of Negative Evaluation…………………………………………………………………………..20 2.1.5.1 Communication Apprehension……………………………………………………………………...17 2.2 Speaking Anxiety in the L2 classroom……………………………………………………….23 2.2.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………23 2.2.2.1 Gender………………………………………………………………………………………………25 2.2.2 Sources of speaking anxiety in the L2 classroom………………………………………….24 2.2.2.3 Competitiveness……………………………………………………………………………………………28 2.2.2.6...
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...INTERLANGUAGE Introduction In this part, it is discussed that there are differences between teaching and learning. For example, in teaching perspective, anyone may write very well a methodology paper which related desired output to known inputs in a principled way. But in learning perspective, anyone may write very well a paper describing the process of attempted learning of second language. The interlanguage part is written from the learning perspective, regardless of one’s failure or success in the attempted learning of a second language. The concept of interlanguage was suggested by Selinker in order to draw attention to the possibility that the learner’s language can be regarded as a distinct language variety or system with its own particular characteristics and rules. There is a key term which is named ‘meaningful performance’. It is used to refer to the situation where an adult attempts to express meanings, which he or she may already have, in a language which he or she is in the process of learning. The writer thinks that one of our greatest difficulties in establishing a psychology of second language learning which is relevant to the way people actually learn second languages, has been our inability to identify unambiguously the phenomena we wish to study. I agree with the writer, because we have difficulty in learning second language and a correct understanding of this phenomenon leads to the postulation of certain theoretical constructs...
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