Module 1 Reading Material资料文件与下载

Module 1 General Introduction to English Pedagogy

What is language acquisition?

Language acquisition is a process which can take place at any period of one's life. In the sense of first language acquisition, however, it refers to the acquisition (unconscious learning) of one's native language (or languages in the case of bilinguals) during the first 6 or 7 years of one's life (roughly from birth to the time one starts school).

Characteristics of first language acquisition

1) It is an instinct. This is true in the technical sense, i.e., it is triggered by birth and takes its own course, though of course linguistic input from the environment is needed for the child to acquire a specific language. As an instinct, language acquisition can be compared to the acquisition of binocular vision or binaural hearing.

2) It is very rapid. The amount of time required to acquire one's native language is quite short, very short compared to that needed to learn a second language successfully later on in life.

3) It is very complete. The quality of first language acquisition is far better than that of a second language (learned later on in life). One does not forget one's native language (though one might have slight difficulties remembering words if you do not use it for a long time).

4) It does not require instruction. Even though many non-linguists think that mothers are important for children to learn their native language, instructions by parents or caretakers are unnecessary, despite the psychological benefits of attention to the child.

What is the watershed separating first and second language acquisition?

Generally, the ability to acquire a language with native speaker competence diminishes severely around puberty. There are two suggestions as to why this is the case. 1) Shortly before puberty the lateralization of the brain (fixing of various functions to parts of the brain) takes place and this may lead to general inflexibility. 2) With puberty various hormonal changes take place in the body (and we technically become adults). This may also lead to a inflexibility which means that language acquisition cannot proceed to the conclusion it reaches in early childhood.

https://www.uni-due.de/ELE/LanguageAcquisition.htm

What is second language acquisition?

Second language acquisition, or sequential language acquisition, is learning a second language after a first language is already established. Many times, this happens when a child who speaks a language other than English goes to school for the first time. Children have an easier time learning a second language, but anyone can do it at any age. It takes a lot of practice!

What is the best way to teach a second language?

There are many different things that factor into the decision about how to teach a person a second language, including the following:

• language spoken in the home

• amount of opportunity to practice the second language

• internal motivation  of the learner

• reason that the second language is needed (e.g., to learn at school, to talk to a friend, or for work)

There are different ways that to introduce the second language:

• by setting (e.g., English is spoken only in the school, and Urdu is spoken only in the home)

• by topic (e.g., French is spoken only during mealtime, and Spanish is spoken during      school/work activities)

• by speaker (e.g., Mom will speak only in German, and Dad speaks Russian only)

The ability of a person to use a second language will depend on his or her family's ability to speak more than one language. It is important for parents/caregivers to provide a strong language model. If you cannot use the language well, you should not be teaching it.

https://www.readingrockets.org/article/second-language-acquisition