This document summarizes a seminar presentation on English as a second and foreign language. The objectives are to discuss elements of first and second language acquisition and important methodologies. Various theories of language acquisition are mentioned, such as Chomsky's innate language capacity and Skinner's behaviorist view of language learning through imitation and reinforcement. Different language teaching methods are also briefly outlined, including grammar translation, direct method, audiolingual method, and cognitive approach. Suggestions are made for activities to incorporate listening, reading, writing, speaking and thinking in the classroom in a way that maximizes second language acquisition.

1. English as a Second and/or
Foreign Language
Seminar Presenter:
GABRIELA LUGO de ARNSDORF
ESL Instructor
(530) 519-6475
glugodearnsdorf@csuchico.edu

2. Objectives
• Elements influencing first and second
language acquisition as well as
important methodologies will be
discussed.

3. “The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.”
William Arthur Ward
Point A
Point
B

4. • Noam Chomsky
–innate capacity
•B. F. Skinner
–immitate-reinforce

5. • Grammar Translation
• Direct Method
• Audiolingual Method
• Cognitive Approach
• Concurrent Translation

6. Source: http://www.state.sc.us/ddsn/pubs/hinjury/brain.gif
Motor Area = ___________________
Sensory Area = ________________
Cerebellum =
Brain Stem=
The brain is a ___________!
Our Brains and Language
muscle
thinking
emotions
body maintenance
vital functions

7. The Brain and Language
Brain: (basics)
Thinking -- Emotional -- Body Maintenance
motor area sensory area cerebellum
Language:
Learn Conscious - mastery of grammar and vocabulary
--rules
Acquire Subconscious - language appropriated by the mind
--intuitive
Cannot learn? (ability) Will not learn? (desire)
__ too old __ dislike
__ too embarrassed __ attitude
__ no time __ prejudice
__ no interest __ ignorance
__ _______________ __ _____________
__ _______________ __ _____________

8. Goal:
First: Comprehend
ask questions pay attention
Second: Produce
production happens in stages:
non-verbal
single word
two/three words
phrases
sentences
“To acquire the ability to communicate in another language,
one must use that language in a communicative situation.”

9. Natural Approach
• S. Krashen
• T. Terrell

10. Language Develops… naturally
Natural Approach - Krashen & Terrell
• Comprehension precedes production
• Production must be allowed to emerge in stages
- Preproduction -- (comprehension is essential)
- Early production
- Speech emergence
- Intermediate fluency
• The lessons must be based on communication
• Activities & environment should produce a lowered
affective filter

11. Activity #1
Participants: find the group you have been assigned to
and respond to the following questions
according to “your” level:
1. Practice responding to these four questions:
What is your name? Are your parents coming to get you?
Do you have lunch? Do you want to write on the board?
2. Be sure to respond according to the “level” you have been
assigned.
3. Prepare to “act your level” for the whole group.

12. Produce in Stages…
Share what you felt…
What did you want the other
participant to be able to say?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7

13. Remember...
Acquiring a second language is possible
because…
It is “Natural” for language to emerge
and fluency to increase
We must provide our students with…

14. Essentials to Consider
• The affective filter controls the amount of input the
learner comes in contact with and how much is
converted into “intake”.
– Our goal is to lower the affective filter so students are “off the
defensive” – one possibility: do not correct errors directly
• Optimal Input requires comprehension PRIOR to
production

15. Background Information
• Components for acquiring a second language:
– Linguistic distance
– Native language proficiency
– Knowledge of second language
– Status of first language in the community
– Attitude toward student’s first language
• Theories
– Language Acquisition Device
– Language Instinct
– Language Organ

16. Tips on Studying a
Foreign Language
• Study every day!
• Distribute your study time
• Attend and participate in every class
• Make yourself comfortable in the classroom
• Learn grammar if you don’t already know it
• Practice for tests
• Develop a good attitude
• Get help if you need it

17. Tips (continued)
• Reading
• Writing
• Listening
• Speaking
• Thinking
Material by Jo Ann Cope Powell, Ph.D.
The University of Texas at Austin
http://www.utexas.edu/student/utlc

18. What can we do?
What are we doing?
What works?

19. Objectives
• Elements influencing first and second
language acquisition as well as important
methodologies will be discussed.
• We will look at a successful
implementation of learning within the
second language acquisition framework.

20. Activity #2
Participants: locate another person who has
the same number on his/her card and…
1. Share how you promote listening,
reading, writing, speaking and
thinking in your classrooms;
2. Write an idea or two on your cards;
3. Prepare to share with the group.

21. Methods that Work
% !
Q
&
h
T
J
B
?
6

22. Action Plan
Present activities that are “… compatible with the
natural approach in that they begin with the student’s
own world and usually with language that the student
already has acquired.”
Patricia A. Richard-Amato
Consider: “What did we need in order to speak our first language?”
“All we needed was exposure to natural language
in a social environment”

23. REAL Language
• Basic Social Communication –BICS
(Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills)
• Academic Formal Communication –CALP
(Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency)
Which is emphasized in our classrooms?

24. “The more a student
INTERACTS
with the information,
the more likely
he or she is to
MASTER IT
SOURCE UNKNOWN

25. • Simplify Input
• Use Contextual Clues
• Check for Understanding
• Present Appropriate Lessons

26. Objectives
• Elements influencing first and second
language acquisition as well as important
methodologies will be discussed.
• We will look at a successful implementation of
learning within the second language
acquisition framework.
• Participants will leave with a few classroom
activities and ideas that promote listening,
reading, writing, speaking, and thinking in
and outside the classroom.

27. Methods that
Maximize Acquisition
• Total Physical Response
• Suggestopedia
• Natural Approach
• Others…

28. Some Activities
to maximize successful incorporation of listening,
reading, writing, speaking, and thinking!
• Team of Three • “I am” poem
• My Vote/Our Vote
• Verbs
• Picture Activities
• My Favorite Place
• One minutes speeches
• Quotes and Proverbs
• Songs
From various sources and contributors

29. Disclaimer
Various
sources
please see
Bibliography
in your electronic copy

30. Evaluation
Your comments and
suggestions are
sincerely
appreciated
Thank You