1. Functional Approach
Maribel Mori Casinto
Presenter

2. Functional Approach
Cognitive Social

3. Opposing View
Formalist- language is an
autonomous, arbitrary
system whose form is
independent of its function.
Functionalist-
language is not
arbitrary and
autonomous system but
rather is shaped by the
communicative
functions it serves.

4. Social Interaction and Language
Development

5.  Holzman’s Reciprocal Model of
language says that “ a reciprocal
behavioral system operates between
the language developing infant-child
and the competent language user in a
socializing teaching nurturing role.
 The child language is centered on one
of the thorniest areas of linguistic
research the function of discourse.

6. Development Language
of Language Structure

7. Development of Language Function
and Language Structure
Language function as the basis of language
structure
Language function as the gateway to
language structure
Communication as the motivation for
acquiring language structure
Communication as the source of
communication development

8. Halliday’s Functions of Language
Language Description Classroom
Function Experience
use language to Problem solving,
Instrumental communicate gathering
preferences, materials, role
choices, wants, or playing
needs
Personal use language to Making feelings
express individuality Interacting with
others
Social use language to Structured play,
relationship/ interact and plan, Dialogues and
Interactional develop, or maintain discussions,
a play or group talking in groups
activity

9. Cont.
Use language to Making rule in
Regulatory control games, giving
instructions
Use language to Conveying
Representation explain messages, telling
about the real
world, expressing
a proposition
Use language to Questions and
Heuristic find things out, answer routine
wonder or Inquiry and
hypothesize research
Use language to Stories,
Imaginative create, explore, dramatizations,
and entertain poem, word play

10. REFERENCES
Brown, H.D.. (2007). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching
(5th Edition). New York: Pearson Education, Inc.
Ginberg, E.H. (1997). Language Development. USA: Brooks/Cole
Publishing Company.
Halliday’s Model of Language Functions. Retrieved on February
17, 2012 from:
http://www.cdpeak.net/pdf/halliday_functions_of_language.pdf.
The Functional Approach: Material and Methods.
Nov. 2005, Volume 2, No.11 (Serial No.23)