SLA: Opening Lecture

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SLA Opening Lecture

• (in two parts)

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Part 1

• Basic topic and terminology (see Fig. 1)
• SLA as a multidisciplinary field of study
• The three main variables in SLA
• (a) the setting (see Fig. 2)
• (b) the learner (also in Part 2) (see Fig.
  3)

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Part 2

• (b) the learner (see Fig. 3)
• (c) the input
• 1. the inherent properties of the
  target language
• 2. the formally and interactionally
  adjusted features
• found in foreigner talk and
  teacher talk
• 3. features of the learners own output
• 4. the meaning and functions carried by
  the input
• 5. overall quantity and quality of the
  input
• (4) A framework for examining the
• components of SLA (see Fig. 4)

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Fig. 1 The term SLA
and 3rd, 4th, 5th . . . nth
Foreign Language Acquisition
setting difference
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Fig. 2 Setting as a variable
Second
Foreign
Setting
Instructed
Untutored (naturalistic)
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Fig. 3 The learner as a variable
Age
Aptitude
Motivation
Attitudes
Personality
Learner
Cognitive style
Learning strategies
Communication strategies
Social/cultural/ economic background
Gender
Appearance
Time and energy
Etc.
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Fig. 4 Framework for examining the components of
SLA
cognitive learning production
strategies communication
Situational factors
Learner processes
Input
Variable L2 output
linguistic processes universal principles of
grammar (proposed)
Learner differences