Week 2

Chapter 1: Introducing SLA

It was interesting to read about the distinctions made in literature about second languages. I had heard of the differences between second language and foreign language, but library language and auxiliary language were new terms for me.  On a different note, after reading the first chapter, I realized that our secondary foreign language classrooms do not necessarily teach in a way that encourage students to linguistically perform without a stressful environment. The environment of testing and units creates a sort of stress on the students that would not exist in a discussion based classroom that focuses on meaningful exchanges between the students.

Chapter 2: Foundations of SLA

It was amazing to read about how linguistic data cannot really be collected in an unbiased way.  Between personal and political sensitivities, lack of identifying truths and the lack of agreement on linguistic terms, I never would have thought that it would be so difficult to collect until I read that section.  

Before learning linguistics, I would have put myself on the nurture aspect of the nature versus nurture debate.  I believed that learning was related to feedback and experience overall.  After taking a few linguistics classes, I realized that there must be an innateness to language.  The argument I found the most compelling was that children say things that adults do not, showing that it is not all modeling and imitation.  For a child to say goed or mans, they must understand, beyond the input they receive, how the language functions and certain grammatical patterns.

Early Theories in SLA

This article helped solidify the idea that there must be a universal grammar or language faculty that is innate in human beings.  Children acquire complex language rules that can't always be learned by imitation and analogy.  One part that confused me was the behaviorist view that imitation is not a conscious effort.  I wanted more information on this because I do not understand how imitation, which was considered mindless, would lead to someone learning a language.  I know that this view is no longer accepted, but I felt that the proof and evidence was not given in this article and I wanted to learn more about it.