L2 Learning Theories along with your review of them.
Knowledge of L2
learning theories is highly helpful in teaching English. A successful English
teacher is able to blend theoretical knowledge of language learning that
explains how the learning and teaching process should be done with actual
teaching practically. The theories of L2 learning clearly explains all the
aspects of language teaching in detail. It is very important for English
teachers to follow theories and base their teaching on them.
There are many theories that are
used for the development of second language teaching. A teacher should apply
these methods to achieve his/her language teaching. Among them, Behaviorism,
Innativism, and Krashen's Monitor Model theories provide theoretical
hypotheses in language learning.
Behaviorism
The main principle in
behaviourism is that language learning is a type of imitation in that the
learners tend to imitate what they hear and learn from the environment. Thus,
in teaching English to students whose mother tongue is Sinhala and in addition
to that, many might have learnt English as their second or third language
sometimes. Thus, the learners should be given good opportunities for imitation
and habit formation.
They learned the second
language through a series of drills involving imitation, repetition and
practice. Behaviourist view of the process of a child’s language acquisition in
the following steps;
1. Stimuli
2. Imitation
3. Reinforcement
4. Repetition
5. Habit
formation
Moreover, what is the
most important is the environment in learning an L2. Thus, the teacher should
be able to create an English environment in the class exposing the learners to
English as far as possible. The teacher can expose the learners to the speeches
and videos of native speakers. Another important fact that teachers should
consider is reinforcement, especially, positive reinforcement. When the
teachers reinforce the learners by different ways like praising they will be
encouraged to repeat the behaviour.
On the other hand,
errors also should be corrected at the moment the teacher sees them before they
become a habit. In this manner, L2 learning also takes place in the form of any
habit formation. So, the teacher’s responsibility is to form positive habits in
learners towards L2 learning.
Innativism, also called
Universal Grammar was developed by Noam Chomsky who is an American Linguist.
Language is an innate capacity. A child’s brain contains a special language
learning mechanism at birth. Every child has a “Language Acquisition Device”.
Children need only minimum language exposure to prim the LAD. He mentioned that
children were born with the ability to acquire language. He argued that
language acquisition of children be related to their innate ability of
biological language device (LAD).
Chomsky asserted that
children were born with a hard-wired language acquisition device. He asserted
that children were born with the instinct or “innate facility” for acquiring
language. The LAD is a postulated organ in the brain supposed to function as a
congenital device for language acquisition. LAD encodes the major principles of
a language and its grammatical structure into the child’s brain. This theory
contradicted B.F. Skinner’s theory of behaviourism and operant conditioning. Regarding
the principles of Universal Grammar, some argue that UG theory is not
successful in explaining L2 because most L2 learners have passed their critical
age when they start learning an L2. But the UG theorists argue that even though
most L2 learners start learning an L2 after their critical age, they also
produce a better output than the input showing that their language acquisition
is influenced by LAD.
Karshen’s
Monitor Model
Krashen’s Monitor Model
which includes five hypotheses is also highly useful in teaching English. The
first hypothesis, the Acquisition-Learning hypothesis differentiates language
learning and acquisition enabling the teacher to use both processes effectively
in the class. Thus, teachers should consider Krashen’s emphasis on the
effectiveness of acquisition in L2 learning.
Monitor Model is a highly influential model of second language learning developed by Krashen based on five basic hypotheses;
1. The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis.
2. The Monitor Hypothesis.
3. The Natural Order Hypothesis.
4. The Input Hypothesis.
5. The Affective Filter Hypothesis.
The
Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis
According to Krashen,
there are two independent systems: the acquired system is the product of a
subconscious process it requires meaningful interaction in the target language.
The learned system is the product of formal instruction and learning. It
involves a conscious process which results in conscious knowledge about the
target language. According to Krashen, learning is less important than
acquisition.
In this Hypothesis
learner can learn the language very easily, from the environment, parents,
friends etc. So, learner should not try hard to understand the first language.
The Monitor Hypothesis – The Monitor hypothesis explains the relationship between acquisition and learning and defines the influence of the latter on the former. The monitoring function is the practical result of the learned grammar. According to Krashen, the acquisition system is the utterance initiator, while the learning system performs the role of the 'monitor' or the 'editor'. The 'monitor' acts in a planning, editing and correcting function when three specific conditions are met:
1. Sufficient time.
2. Focus on form.
3. Knowing the rule.
It appears that the
role of conscious learning is somewhat limited in second language performance.
According to Krashen, the role of the monitor is minor, being used only to
correct deviations from normal speech and to give a speech a more polished
appearance.
The
Natural Order Hypothesis - The acquisition of grammatical
structure follows a natural order which is predictable. This order seemed to be
independent of the learner’s age L1 background, conditions of exposure, and
although the agreement between individual acquires was not always in the
studies, there were statistically significant similarities that reinforced the
existence of a natural order of language acquisition. However, Krashen points
out that the implication of the natural order hypothesis is not that a language
program syllabus should have been based on the order found in the studies. In
fact, he rejects grammatical sequencing when the goal is language acquisition.
The
Input Hypothesis - The input hypothesis is Krashen’s
attempt to explain how the learner acquires a second language. The input
hypothesis is only concerned with acquisition, not learning. According to this
hypothesis, the learner improves and progresses along the natural order when
he/she receives second language input that is one step beyond his/her current
stage of linguistic competence. It will take place the learner more effectively
to achieve second language learning.
The
Affective Filter Hypothesis - The affective filter
hypothesis embodies Krashen’s view that a number of affective factors like
motivation, self-confidence, anxiety, personality traits, and learners’
attitudes and beliefs play a facilitative role in second language acquisition. Krashen
claims that learners with high motivation, self-confidence, a good self-image,
a low level of anxiety and extroversion are better equipped for success in
second language acquisition.
Considering these
facts, it is clear that knowledge of L2 theories is highly effective in
teaching English. In teaching English to students or to any other students, the
teacher can use both subject knowledge and theoretical knowledge effectively.
References
1. Bialystok, E. 1990 Communication Strategies: A Psychological Analysis of Second-Language Use Oxford Black well Google Scholar
2. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360834971 Second Language Learning theories by Rosamond Mitchell, Florence Myles, Emma Marsden.
3. https://www.academia.edu/36105475/Second Language Learning Theories Miles.
4. 2. Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Approaches and methods in language teaching. Cambridge University Press.)