Kathryn G.

Cosal (LED 401)

Theories of First and Second Language Acquisition

Theory of First
Proponent/s Salient Features
Language Acquisition
 Focus on linguistic observable
behavior and the relationships or
associations between those
B. F. Skinner, Leonard responses.
1. Behavioristic
Bloomfield, Charles Fries,  Effective language behavior is the
Approaches
Ivan Pavlov, John Watson production of correct response to
stimuli.
 If a response is reinforced, it
becomes habitual or conditioned.
The focus is on abstract rules and
freedom from the scientific method/the
observable. The approach offers a
systematic description of the child’s
Noam Chomsky, Eric language as being innately determined,
2. Nativist Approach
Lenneberg, Jean Berko rule-governed and operating in a parallel
fashion. Human languages are all alike at
the deep structure—theory proposes a
number of potential properties of
Universal Grammar (UG).
 The study of language now
centers on the relationship of
cognitive development and the
construction of meaning in the
environment.
 Language is seen as one
manifestation of the cognitive and
affective ability to deal with the
Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky,
3. Functional Approaches world, with others, and with self.
Lois Bloom
 Language must be understood
from two stand points: the
abstract, formal, explicit rules
proposed under the generative
grammar (form of language) and
the functional level of meaning
constructed from social
interaction.
 It is a social construction and
negotiation of meaning.
 Learning is a dynamic process that
4. Constructivism Jerome Bruner is both social and mental.
 The primary concern is the mental
construction of meaning or the
building of knowledge structures.
 Theory of Second
Proponent/s Salient Features
Language Acquisition
 It is "the process of being adapted
to a new culture" which involves a
new orientation of thinking and
feeling on the part of a second
language learner.
 The degree to which the second-
language learners acculturate
themselves towards the culture of
Douglas Brown, John
1. Acculturation Model target-language (TL) group
Schuman
generally depends on social and
psychological factors; and these
two sorts of factors will determine
respectively the level of social
distance and psychological
distance a second language learner
is having in course of his learning
the target-language.

 A communication strategy of
accentuating the differences
between yourself and another
person. It reflects a desire to
emphasize group distinctiveness
in a positive manner and it usually
2. Accommodation Model Howard Giles takes place when an individual
perceives interaction as an
intergroup process rather than an
individual one.
 Someone who changes their
speech patterns to match the
speech of the other person.

 It is the technical tem for

“conversation”.
 The theory emphasizes that
3. Discourse Theory Evenlyn Hatch language development should be
viewed within the framework of
how the learner discovers the
meaning capacity of language by
taking part in communication.
 Five Main Hypotheses
 The Acquisition-Learning
Hypothesis – “Acquisition” occurs
subconsciously as a result of
participating in natural
communication where the focus is
on meaning. “Learning” occurs as
a result of conscious study of the
formal properties of the language.
 The Natural Order Hypothesis –
indicates that learners may follow
a more or less invariant order in
the acquisition of formal
grammatical features and affirms
that grammatical structures are
acquired in a predictable order.
 The Monitor Hypothesis – is the
device that learners use to edit
4. Monitor Model Stephen Krashen their language performance. It
utilizes ‘learnt’ knowledge by
acting upon and modifying
utterances generated from
acquired knowledge.
 The Input Hypothesis – it states
that ‘acquisition’ takes place as a
result of the learner having
understood input that is a little
beyond the current level of his
competence. (i+1)
 The Affective Filter Hypothesis –
deals with how affective factors
relate to SLA, and covers the
ground of the Acculturation
Model. The filter controls how
much input the learner comes into
contact with, and how much input
is converted into intake.

It is based on two distinctions – one of

which refers to the ‘process’ of language
use, and the other to the ‘product’. The
5. Variable Competence theory also proposes to account for SLA
Rod Ellis
Model within a framework of language use. In
other words, it claims that the way a
language is learnt is a reflection of the
way it is used.
 The Hypothesis provides an interesting
account of how the linguistic properties
of target language and the learner’s first
language may influence the course
development. The value of the Universal
hypothesis for SLA theory is twofold: it
focuses attention on the nature on the
6. Universal Hypothesis Noam Chomsky
target language itself, and it provides a
suitable and persuasive reconsideration
of transfer as an important factor in SLA.
In addition, the Universal Hypothesis
operates on the assumption that linguistic
knowledge is homogeneous and,
therefore, ignores variability.

The basis of this theory is the scientific

research that shows how brain-based
factors that affect learning in general also
bound to also affect language learning.
These factors include age, exposure,
7. Neurofunctional Theory Joseph Lamendella
practice,etc. Hence, theoretically
speaking, if brain issues affect the
process of learning, then the process of
language acquisition must be a brain-
based process as well.