Language Acquisition and Teaching Methodologies

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on language acquisition and teaching methodologies.

What is Overgeneralization?

Application of a grammar rule in a non-applicable situation (e.g., 'I put my shoes on my foots').

What is Avoidance in language learning?

Using simple words or structures to avoid complex ones (e.g., saying 'leaves' instead of 'eucalyptus').

What is Borrowing in linguistics?

Incorporation of linguistic material from another language (e.g., borrowing 'kindergarten' from German).

What is Code-Switching?

Alternating between two languages in context (e.g., 'I need to ir al store').

What is False Cognate Confusion?

Assuming a similar-looking word has the same meaning in another language.

What are Cognates?

Words in different languages with similar form and meaning (e.g., 'elephant'—'elefante' in Spanish).

What are False Cognates?

Words in different languages that look and/or pronounce the same, but have different meanings.

What is Fossilization of Errors?

Uncorrected errors that become permanent in a learner's speech.

What is Circumlocution?

Describing a word when you don't know it directly (e.g., 'The cup with a lid that keeps soup warm' instead of 'thermos').

What is the Pre-Production (Silent Period) stage?

Listening and absorbing; little or no production of the new language.

What characterizes the Early Production stage?

Limited words, simple phrases, and reliance on context.

What characterizes the Speech Emergence stage?

Longer phrases, more frequent speech, context-dependent.

What characterizes Intermediate Fluency?

Ability to form more complex sentences and express thoughts and opinions.

What characterizes Advanced Fluency?

Speaker produces accurate, varied structures, nearly native-like.

What is Interference in language learning?

L1 structures affect L2 production, causing mistakes in the second language.

What is a Phoneme?

Smallest unit of sounds (/p/, /b/) that can distinguish words.

What is Phonics?

Connection between letters and their sounds.

What is Phonetics?

The physical production of human speech.

What is Phonology?

The systematic pattern of sounds in a particular language.

What is Morphology?

The study of roots, affixes, and morphemes — the components of words.

What is the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)?

Activities that a learner can do with help, not alone.

What is Orthography?

Conventional spelling of a language.

What is Syntax?

Rules for sentence structure.

What is Semantics?

Meaning of words and phrases.

What is Pragmatics?

Meaning in context — appropriate use of language.

What is Segmentation in language?

Ability to identify borders between words, syllables, or phonemes.

What is Transformational Grammar?

Chomsky’s view — deep structure vs. surface structure.

What is Inhibition in language learning?

Fear of making mistakes, causing reluctance to produce language.

What are Registers of Language?

Levels of formality; choosing appropriate form for context.

What is Cognitive and Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA)?

Combines content, ESL strategies, and metacognitive skills.

What are Cummins’ Quadrants?

Model for context-embedded vs context-reduced, and cognitively undemanding vs demanding.

What is Nativist Theory in language?

Chomsky’s view — universal grammar is innate.

What is the difference between BICS and CALP?

BICS (conversational, 1–2yrs) vs. CALP (academic, 5–7yrs).

What are Levels of Language?

Layers of linguistic structure from sounds to context.

What is Intrinsic Motivation?

Inner drive to learn.

What is the Natural Approach?

Emphasises communication and comprehensible input (Krashen).

What is the Affective Filter?

Negative emotions block or allow language absorption.

What is Comprehensible Input?

Providing messages a bit above current ability (+1).

What is the Grammar-Translation (Classical) method?

Translation of texts, focuses on grammar rules.

What is Audiolingualism?

Repetition and habit formation, stimulus and response.

What is Cognitive Code learning?

Rule of the day; conscious understanding first.

What is the Direct Method?

Immersion; teaching entirely in the target language.

What is the Notional-Functional approach?

Teaching phrases and structures by real-world communication goals.

What is the Communicative Approach?

Communication is the main aim; role-play, scenarios.

What is the Silent Way?

Teacher is silent; learners discover structures on their own.

What is Suggestopedia?

Relaxed, musical, stress-free environment to aid retention.

What is Total Physical Response (TPR)?

Listening first; physical response to commands.

What are Total Response Signals (TRS)?

Visual signals to show readiness or understanding.

What is Language Experience Approach (LEA)?

Uses student’s own words to create reading materials.

What is the Concept Attainment Model?

Teaching through examples and non-examples.

What is the Multisensory Approach (VAKT)?

Combines Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Tactile methods.

What is the Phonics Approach?

Teach reading by matching letters to sounds.

What is the Constructivist Approach?

Learners construct knowledge from experience.

What is the Structural Approach?

Focus on structures and sentence patterns.

What is the Lexical Approach?

Chunks of language over individual words.

What is Sociocultural Theory?

Interaction and collaboration are key to developing skills.

What is English for Specific Purposes (ESP)?

Teaching tailored to a specific discipline or context.

What is the Psycholinguistic Approach?

Integrates psychology and linguistic perspectives; focuses on cognitive processing.

What is TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)?

Teaching English where it’s not the primary language of the country.