LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Applied linguistics

Process of language acquisition The process of language acquisition by a child has some basic requirements: Interaction with other language users during the first 2-3 years of development The child must be physically capable of sending and receiving signal in a language Input Home environment provide language sample or input Simplified speech style – caregiver speech (motherese or child-directed spech) Salient features: frequent use of questions, exaggerated intonation,extra loudness and slower tempo, the use of “babytalk” (simplified words:choo-choo, poo-poo etc.) Caregiver speech is also characterized by simple sentence structure and a lot of repetition.

Stages of acquisition process Language acquisition schedule has the same basis as biologically determined development of motor skills. The biological schedule is tied very much to the maturation of the infant’s brain. Cooing and babbling – the earliest use of speech-like sounds The one-word stage The two-word stage Telegraphic speech Children are actively constructing from what is said to them, possible ways of using the language.

Linguistic features of emerging speech Developing morphology: incorporating some inflectional morphemes. Overgeneralization of apparent rules (plural –s, past -ed etc.) Developing syntax: Forming questions (where, who – what book – can I have?) Forming negatives Developing Semantics: sometimes it is difficult to determine meaning children attach to words; overextension (ball –all round objects)

Second language learning Acquisition and Learning Acquisition – gradual development of ability in a language Learning – more conscious process of accumulating of knowledge Acquisition barriers : age, native languages Affective factors - negative feelings or experiences can create barrier to acquisition: unwillingness or embarrassment in pronunciation, dull textbook, unpleasant classroom surrounding, exhausting schedule or work

Educational approaches and methods The Grammar – Translation Method This method is rooted in traditional teaching of Latin. Targets of learning: vocabulary, grammar rules, written language and memorization are emphazed Audiolingual Method Sytemic presentation of the L2 structures – to develop skills of spoken language Communicative Approaches Language functions are emphasized, language learning is organized around different social settings Student Centered Learning shift from method and textbook to learner needs and acquisition process

L1 AND L2 INTERRELATION IN LEARNING PROCESS Transfer Crosslinguistic influence Positive and negative transfer Interlanguage errors related neither to L1 nor L2 In-between system of language

COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE Communicative competence – general ability to use language accurately, appropriately and flexibly Grammatical competence Socio-linguistic competence Strategic competence Communication strategy