Second Language Acquisition

(SLA)
“Second language acquisition research
focuses on the developing knowledge
and use of a language by children and
adults who already know at least one
other language.”

Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In

Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 108.
 What a Theory Can Do…
A (good) theory…
 allows us to ORGANIZE what we find /
discover. (NOT haphazard)
 gives us something to use as a basis for
EXPLANATIONS
 guides us to ASK certain questions and look
for the ANSWERS
 SHOULD help us in our TEACHING /
LEARNING of languages
 SLA Questions
 What is the nature of language?
 How are languages represented in the mind?
 How is language processed?
 Is learning language same/different from
learning anything else?
 How are languages learned?
 What implications are there for policy makers?
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 108.
Why do we need to learn about
more than one theory?
1. There is NOT JUST ONE, BEST theory.
Language is complex. Learning a language
is complex. One alone won’t do it.
2. Your personality as a teacher will make
certain approaches more appealing to you
and you will do better with one theory than
another.
3. Students’ learning styles / preferences differ.
Mixing and matching approaches /
methods / etc provide you the most/best
chances to meet student needs.
 Theories of Language
Acquisition 1
 Linguistic Perspectives
 Psychological Perspectives
 Sociocultural Perspectives

Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In

Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, pp. 108, 110, 114.
 Theories of Language
Acquisition 2
 Linguistic Perspectives
Universal Grammar
Monitor Theory

Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In

Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, pp. 108-110.
 Theories of Language
Acquisition 3
 Psychological Perspectives
Behaviorism
Cognitive Psychology
Connectionism
Processabilty Theory
Interactionist Perspectives
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, pp. 110-114.
 Theories of Language
Acquisition 4
 Sociocultural Perspectives

Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In

Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 114.
 Observations about
L1 Acquisition
1. Almost all children learn the language
around them at about the same time.
2. Even mentally impaired children learn
Language.
3. Logical Problem of Language Acquisition
a. Language input defective
b. Little systematic feedback
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 109.
 Krashen’s Monitor Theory
Hypotheses
1. Acquisition hypothesis
(Learning  Acquisition)
2. Monitor hypothesis
3. Natural order hypothesis
4. Comprehensible input hypothesis
(i + 1)
5. Affective filter hypothesis
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 110.
 Contrastive Analysis
Hypothesis
 If L1 and L2 are similar:
no problems learning L2 structure.
 If L1 and L2 are different:
yes problems learning L2 structure.
 If L2 had something L1 did not:
yes problems learning L2 structure.
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 111.
 Processability Theory:
Pedagogical Conclusions
 Teachability Hypothesis
 Can't skip a stage
 Might be able to encourage (or impede)
moving through a stage more rapidly.

Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In

Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 113.
 Learner Language
Research Focus
 Interlanguage
Error Analysis Studies
Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis
 Developmental Sequences
Morpheme Acquisition Studies
 L1 Influence
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, pp. 115-117.
 L1 Influence
“It has been observed that some aspects of
language are more susceptible to L1
influence than others. For example,
pronunciation and word order are more
likely to show L1 influence than
grammatical morphemes.”

Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In

Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, p. 116.
Observations to Account for in
L2 Acquisition
1. L1 learners all learn their language
2. Not all L2 learners achieve the same
level of proficiency
3. Age factors influence ultimate
proficiency
4. L1 influences L2
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, pp. 109, 111-113,
115.
Observations to Account for in
L2 Acquisition
5. Restructuring apparently occurs
6. Chunking important in language
learning and use
7. Acquisition develops in predictable
stages
Spada, Nina and Patsy M. Lightbown. 2010. Second Language Acquisition. In
Norbert Schmitt, editor, Chapter 7, pp. 108-123. An Introduction to Applied
Linguistics, 2nd edition, pp. 53-69. London: Hodder Education, pp. 111, 113, 115.
The Study of Second Language
Acquisition
(Rod Ellis, 1994)

Table of Contents—1
1: Background
1. SLA research: An overview
2: The Description of Learner Language
2. Learner errors and error analysis
3. Developmental patterns: Order and
sequence in SLA
4. Variability in learner language
5. Pragmatic aspects of learner language
The Study of Second Language
Acquisition
(Rod Ellis, 1994)

Table of Contents—2
3: Explaining SLA: External Factors
6. Social factors and SLA
7. Input and interaction and SLA
4: Explaining SLA: Internal Factors
8. Language transfer
9. Cognitive accounts of SLA
10. Linguistic universals and SLA
The Study of Second Language
Acquisition
(Rod Ellis, 1994)

Table of Contents—3
5: Explaining Individual Differences in SLA
11. Individual learner differences
12. Learning strategies
6: Classroom SLA
13. Classroom interaction and SLA
14. Formal instruction and SLA
7: Conclusion
15. Data, theory, and applications in SLA research