Language Acquisition Theories and ELT Methods
Theories of Language Acquisition
How Do Babies Learn to Speak?
Behaviorism
Children learn to speak through repetition and imitation, reinforced by subsequent punishment or reinforcement. They acquire the habit of speaking.
Language acquisition is *not* seen as a process of continuous creativism supported by an innate grammar system.
Innatism
Language acquisition depends on the child’s innate capacity for language, not just social and cultural interaction.
Behaviorism
Skinner – Verbal Behavior (1975)
- Language
Lesson Plans: Geometry & European Geography
Lesson Plan: Geometric Shapes (2nd Grade)
Level: 2nd Grade Primary
Date: Third and Fourth Weeks of April
Topic: Geometric Shapes
Objectives:
- To understand and use classroom language.
- To understand and use the names of the studied shapes.
- To understand and use the expression “Can you see…?”.
- To present a positive attitude towards the English language and culture.
Students’ Prior Knowledge: In the first course, the students studied the circle, square, and triangle.
What I Plan to Teach (4Cs)
Contents:
Read MoreBritish Literature: Periods and Key Authors
Modernism (1918-1945)
Twentieth-century “Art for Art’s Sake.”
1918 Mass literacy, The Education Act 1870. People had lost their faith. W.B. Yeats (“The Second Coming”), psychoanalysis, and comparative mythology. The use of electricity.
Poetry: Radical new experiments to rid poetry of its Romantic and Victorian era superfluities. T.S. Eliot: “Modern poets must have an extensive knowledge of tradition.”
Fiction: 1900-1920 (a time of experimentation, allusiveness, and complexity); 1930, 1940, and 1950
Read MoreAccents, Dialects, and Evolution of British English
Regional Accents and Dialects of English in the British Isles
English in the British Isles has many variants, each with its own characteristics. These differences reflect the culture and history of the different regions and social classes within the UK.
Received Pronunciation (RP)
One of the best-known accents is Received Pronunciation (RP), associated with the upper class and educated people in England. This accent, also known as ‘BBC English’, is famous for not pronouncing the “r” at the end of words
Read MoreEnhancing English Language Learning: Motivation & Strategies
Enhancing English Language Learning: Motivation & Strategies
Regarding attainment targets, negotiating nuclei or centers of interest with students is beneficial. Concerning socio-cultural aspects, we can transition from proposed topics to developing conceptual knowledge, such as critically analyzing attitudes proposed by legislation. Consequently, content organization should pivot on activities or tasks, allowing students to express preferences for activity types and skills to be developed.
Methodological
Read MoreClassroom Activities with Jazz Chants, Buncee, Tellagami & Storywars
Jazz Chants
Goals
- Improve oral communication
- Improve pronunciation
- Learn new vocabulary
- Develop body and facial expression
Age and Rationale
Ages 6-9. It is important to develop body and facial expression as early as possible. Also, young children often enjoy chants.
Step-by-Step
- The teacher sings a jazz chant about Christmas. The students repeat it.
- Assuming a class of 20 students, the teacher divides the class into four groups of five students. Each group focuses on a specific topic, such as weather,