Nydivette Villanueva

EDUC 413

April 7, 2015.

Workshop One
Summary:
Language is the method of human communication, either spoken or written. That
consists of the use of words in a structured and conventional way. This also knows has
a system of communication used by a particular country or community. Usually people
speak their native language but they can learn others. Even though, second language
learning is complex. Stephen Krashen explains the theory and applications in his works.
This theory has been investigated by other professional and exposed in some articles
read.
The five main hypotheses of Stephen Krashen theory are acquisition-learning,
monitor, natural order, input and affective filter. Acquisition-learning hypothesis explain
that acquisition and learning are different processes, no interface between them.
Monitor hypothesis is involved in learning not in acquisition. Natural order hypothesis
estipulate that we acquire language rules in a predictable natural order. Input
hypothesis for Krashen is the only true cause of second language acquisition. Affective
Filter hypothesis is low level of anxiety and defensiveness.
The article of Vera Menezes title Second Language Acquisition: Reconciling
Theories gave a briefly summary of other eight theories. Those are behaviorism,
acculturation, universal grammar hypothesis, comprehension hypothesis, interaction
hypothesis, output hypothesis, sociocultural theory and connectionism. Behaviorism
understand language as a set of structure and acquisition as a matter of habit formation.
Acculturation is the social and psychological integration of the learner with the target

Nydivette Villanueva

EDUC 413

April 7, 2015.

language. The universal grammar hypothesis explains that every human being is
biologically endowed with a language faculty, the language acquisition device, which is
responsible for the initial state of language development. Comprehension hypothesis
refers to subconscious acquisition, not conscious learning.
Interaction hypothesis is defended by Hatch and Long. Hatch, consider that one
learns how to do conversation, one learns how to interact verbally, and out of this
interaction syntactic structures are developed. Also, Long claims that modifications the
interactions are consistently found in successful second language acquisition (SLA). In
the output hypothesis, Swain claims that practicing the language helps learners observe
their own production, which is essential to SLA. Sociocultural theory refers that
language learning is a socially mediated process. And last connectionism tries to
explain SLA in terms of mental representations and information processing while
rejecting the innate endowment hypothesis.
In other article read entitled Second Language Acquisition Theories as a
Framework for Creating Distance Learning Courses explains how this help in distance
education. Even though they found various factors that need to be consider. One of the
factors is the interpretations and meanings of words may vary. So to be effective a
careful planning needs to be done. Instructors may design courses that encourage
comprehensible input, output, interaction and negotiation of meaning. The article
estipulate these educations provide viable alternatives to learners that are
geographically isolated or need flexible learning environments.

Nydivette Villanueva

EDUC 413

April 7, 2015.

Reference:
Ariza, E., and Hancock S. (2003). Second Language Acquisition Theories as a
Framework for Creating Distance Learning Courses.
Menezes, V. (2013) Second Language Acquisition: Reconciling Theories.
Krashen, S. Second Language Acquisition Theory, applications, and Some Conjectures.
Cambridge University Press.
Recovered from: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/language
Recovered from: http://es.slideshare.net/roksanaumarova3/theories-of-secondlanguage-acquisition-26615657