Introduction to Second Language Acquisition- Understanding 'Theory'

2. Lightbrown’s Classification of
Research on Second Language
Learning
0 Descriptive: collecting speech samples from second
language speakers and then comparing these samples
to target language norms
0 Experimental pedagogical studies: manipulating
certain variables experimentally to determine their
effect on classroom learning.
0 Hypothesis-testing studies: testing hypothesis based
on the findings of previous research

3. Theory
0 A way of interpreting,
criticizing and unifying
established
generalizations.
0 A system of facts and
laws.
0 The facts and laws take
on a new light from the
theory; the theory
illumniates facts and
laws.

4. Hypothesis Theory
Definition
A suggested explanation
for an observable
phenomenon or
prediction of a possible
causal correlation among
multiple phenomena.
In science, a theory is a
well-substantiated,
unifying explanation for a
set of verified, proven
hypotheses.
Based on
Suggestion, possibility,
projection or prediction,
but the result is uncertain.
Certainty, evidence,
verification, repeated
testing.
Testable Yes Yes
Falsifiable Yes Yes
Is well substantiated No Yes
Data
Usually based on very
limited data
Based on a very wide set
of data tested under
various circumstances.

5. Three assumptions basic to
scientific research
1) Research is inseparable from theory
2) There is no one scientific method
3) There is no single scientific truth

6. The functions of theories
0 Understanding
0 Transformation
0 Prediction

7. Types of theories
There are at least two different dimensions that can be
used to classify theories: form or content
0 Form: deductive or inductive
0 Content: micro or macro

8. Deductive approach
0 It characterizes formal theories in
which the concepts of the theory
are related to each other in a set of
propositions that are assumed to
be true without proof. These
constitute the axioms of the theory.
Given these basic axioms or
assumptions, laws of logic are
applied to obtain new propositions.
This procedure is called ‘deducing
the consequences of the theory’.
The new propositions that follow
from the assumptions of the theory
are called ‘hypotheses’. If these
hypotheses are empirically
supported, they become laws and
the facts of the theory.

9. Inductive approach
0 It progresses from the
accumulation of sets of facts
and sets of laws to theory.
Hypotheses are derived
from the theory as a result of
gaps in the network of
empirical relationships.
Hypotheses are the
investigator’s best hunch
about a new relationship,
given certain empirical facts.

11. Deductive theories Inductive theories
Beginning point Interim solutions Empirical data
Network Theoretical cencepts and
constructs
Relationships between laws
Ultimate goal Explanation Explanation
Advantage More interesting claims Close to data
Disadvantage Remote from data Limited claims

12. The construction of theories

13. Evaluating theory
Norms of validation can be grouped in three categories:
0 Correspondence norms
0 Norms of coherence
0 Pragmatic norms

14. Correspondence norms
0 Definitional adequacy-the correspondence of the
theory to some external reality: If a theory is to tell us
anything about the world, it must contain empirical
elements. There must be some connection to the
inter-subjective world of observation and experience,
or the theory is indistinguishable from fantasy.
0 Explanatory power- correspondence of the theory to
the facts the theory is to explain: The concepts of a
theory need to be defined in a way that clarifies their
meaning; that is in such a manner that differents
persons will interpret them in the same way.

15. Operationalizm
Operational definitions: the idea is that a concept is
synonymous with the operations that are necessary for
its measurement.
The problems related to operationalizm:
0Why one set of operations is chosen rather than
another one?
0 There may be two, or more, different ways of
measuring a concept.
0 Many concepts in a theory have only indirect
reference to experience.

16. Norms of coherence
0 The more simple the theory, the greater its appeal to
our understanding.
0 If a theory is inconsistent with related acceptable
theories, it has relatively less antecedent probability
of being valid.

17. Pragmatic norms
0 The theory should be elegant in its formulation
0 ‘There is nothing as practical as a good theory’

18. Confirmation
0 In addition to three forms addressed above, there is
another condition: falsifiability.

19. A good theory…
0 fits the data well
0 is consistent with related formulations
0 is clear in their predictions
0 is heuristically rich
0 is capable of disconfirmation

20. Prepared based on the book ‘Theories of Second-
Language Learning’ by Barry McLaughlin.
THANKS FOR LISTENING
Kübra OKUMUŞ