1. Schumann’s Theory of Second Language Acquisition
Lynn W Zimmerman, PhD

2. Broader Social Context
Schumann (1978) –correlation between social factors and language acquisition
Specifically social distance between immigrants and members of mainstream society
Situations in which the language learner does not feel an affinity for the language or the language community
Creates social and psychological distance

3. Social Distance Distance is greater when
there is limited integration of the two cultural groups
the minority group is large enough to be self-sufficient
the group is very tight-knit
the group has characteristics very different from mainstream culture
the majority group has negative attitude toward the minority group
when the learner intends to stay a short time

4. Social Distance and Language Acquisition
The greater the social distance between minority and mainstream, the less likely minority members are to acquire the mainstream language

5. Psychological Factors and Language Acquisition
Motivation Attitude Culture shock Resentment

6. Fillmore’s Model To acquire a second language, a person should
Join a group
Give the impression that you can speak the language
Count on your friends for help

7. Schumann + Krashen
Social distance limits opportunities for students to receive the comprehensible input needed for acquisition. Raises the affective filter and prevents input from producing acquisition.

8. Limitations of Schumann’s Acculturation Hypothesis
learners who acculturate learn; those who don’t, don’t
not completely supported by research because other factors come into play.

9. References
Freeman, D. & Freeman, Y. (2014). Essential linguistics. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2008). Second language acquisition. NY: Routledge.