This presentation is an introduction to some classic definitions and concepts in second language Acquisition. It is part of the seminar on applied linguistics offered at Universidad del Valle.

1. Second Language acquisition:
An Introduction
Universidad del Valle
Escuela de Ciencias del Lenguaje
Seminario de Lingüística Aplicada
Prof. Carlos Mayora

2. The learning of any language, to any level, provided only that the learning of the ‘second’ language takes place some time later than the acquisition of the first language.
Mitchell & Myles, 2004, p. 5
Definition

3. •Language
•Language knowledge
•Learning situation
•Learning Context
•Input
•Motivations (reasons to learn)
•SLA theories
Central Concepts

4. language
Central Concepts
Divine?
faculty?
System?
Human property?
Code?
ability?
Set of
rules?
Social tool?
Social construction?
Representational quality?

5. Language
Language
as system
as discourse
as ideology
Kumaravadivelu, 2006, p.4

6. Language knowledge
Pedagogic view
Knowledge
Ability
Cognitive view
Analysis
Access
Mentalist view
Competence
Performance

7. Competence:
Implicit and unconscious knowledge of the rules (phonological, morphological and syntactic) that govern sentence formation and interpretation in a language. The concept comes from Chomsky’s view of language.
Language knowledge

8. Performance: Actual sentences produced by real speakers in concrete situations. It is affected by non- linguistic conditions and thus not always represents fully a speaker’s competence.
Language knowledge

9. Communicative competence:
A speaker’s ability not only to produce and understand grammatically correct sentences, but language that is socially acceptable and situationally adequate. .
Language knowledge

10. Language knowledge
Components of communicative competence according to Hymes (1972)
Linguistic
Pragmatic
Sociolinguistic

11. Language knowledge
Components of communicative competence according to Canale and Swaim (1983)
Grammatical
Sociolinguistic
Discourse
Strategic

12. Other central concepts and conditions
Learning situation
Naturalist
Instructed
Context
Second language learning
Foreign language learning
Input
Authentic
Modified
Motivation
Integrative
Instrumental
Please notice that these notions are classic. Recently, there are different and newer perspectives in each of these concepts as we will see later in this course.

13. Naturalistic SLA
The learning/acquisition of the target language occurs in a natural environment, through abundant exposure to the language and interactions with native speakers and without formal teaching.
Learning situation

14. Instructed SLA
The learning/acquisition of the target language occurs in an educational setting, through deliberate teaching and according to a curriculum.
Learning situation

15. Second language context
The target language is spoken by the majority of speakers in the community where the learning takes place; i.e.: learning French in France or Portuguese in Brazil.
Context

16. Foreign language context
There is limited access to speakers of the target language; i.e.: learning French in Colombia or English in Italy.
Context

17. Authentic input
Language samples that are produced in the course of real communication and for real purposes other than teaching.
Input

18. Modified input
Language samples that are deliberately simplified in order to render the language more easy to understand. It can be modified for teaching purposes (textbooks and other instructional materials), or when a native speaker of the target language interacts with a beginner non-native speaker (foreigner talk).
Input

19. Integrative
When learners are moved to learn the language for personal or affective reason such as I really like English; I think the Japanese culture is very interesting and so on.
Motivation

20. Instrumental
When learners are moved to learn the language for practical reasons, such as getting a better job, higher studies or a promotion.
Motivation

21. Other central concepts and conditions
Learning situation
Naturalist
Instructed
Context
Second language learning
Foreign language learning
Input
Authentic
Modified
Motivation
Integrative
Instrumental

22. Other central concepts and conditions
Learning situation
Naturalist
Instructed
Context
Second language learning
Foreign language learning
Input
Authentic
Modified
Motivation
Integrative
Instrumental

23. SLA Theories
Perspectives (discipline or epistemology)
Innatists
Critical period hypothesis
Universal Grammar
Cognitive
Krashen’s 5 hypothesis model
Information processing model
Analysis and accessibility model
Noticing
Social
Perception and attitudes based models
Interaction hypothesis
Socio constructive models

24. References
Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2008). Second language acquisition: An introductory course. New York: taylor & Francis.
Mitchell, R. & Myles, M. (2004). Second language learning theories (2nd ed.). New York: Hodder Arnold.
Kumaravadivelu, B. (2006). Understanding language teaching. From method to postmethod. London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.