Didaktická propedeutika - přednášky

Introduction to Theories of Language Learning; Learner Variables

• Acquisition – it is unintentional

• Learning – it is intentional

Learning theories

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Learning theory Educational practice

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Language Learning Theories:

• Behaviourism – knowledge isn’t important for your learning

• Conversation

• Cognitive

• Universal grammar

• Shumann’s Acculturation

• Krashen’s monitor

Behaviourism

3 stages: stimulus → response → reinforcement (light/sound → action → reward)

I.P. Pavlov

• Bernard Skinner related the behaviourist processes to that of L1 learning (audiolingual methods – patterned drills, repetitions → good habits of the learners)

Universal grammar

• Chomsky

• We can learn any language as a child

• We know what a sentence looks like, what the noun is…

• Nowadays it’s not as acceptable as in the past

Krashen’s monitor LA

• American “applied linguist” Stephan Krashen explicitly divides the L learning into:

  • Acquisition – subconscious process leading to spontaneous conversation

  • Learning – controlled process, outcome – language not available for spontaneous use

• You can learn language as a child when you just listen, without necessary effort

Cognitive theory

• Similar to behaviourism

• Knowledge is measured

• Teacher actives schemas in our brain (Teacher shows us a picture of Hawaii – we think about relax, diving…)

• We use analytical thinking

Conversation

• Learn via conversation, discussions

• Pick up language/natural/listening

• Conduction conversation, listening

Schumann’s acculturations

• You learn a language to be part of the culture

• Specially for adults who migrate

• Typical for immigrants as they want to be part of the culture

• It promotes merging and understanding cultures

• This very acquisition process takes place in natural contexts of majority language setting

The two traditional methods

1. Grammar-translation method

• Reading

• Translating

• Speaking is not on spotlight

• We use Language 1

1. Direct method

• Speaking

• Lots of comprehensive input

• We use metalanguage

Popular methodology

1. Audio-lingual method

• Listening + speaking

• Based on behaviourism

• We have a dialog and we memorise

1. PPP method – Presentation-Practice-Production

• We have an issue, we ask students to practice it

1. TBL – task based learning

• We have to cook dinner → how to go shopping, how to read a recipe, how to cook dinner

1. TPR – total physical response

• It is good for children

• Simple language – Stand up, sit down, bring it…

1. Lexical approach

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Homework – go to e-learning

1. Watch a method – please, find your name under a link and watch the relevant method, take notes and think about the method. You will discuss it at the seminar.

2. Read the attached material and do 3b

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