Bielefeld University/ Faculty for Linguistics and Literary Studies
British and American Studies
Course: Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
Instructor: Nathan Devos
Students: Silja Buschmann, Julia Gatz, Mareike Meyer zu Kniendorf, Jennifer Pècriaux
Natural acquisition vs. Classroom learning
1) What are the main features of structure-based instructional settings?
In this classroom setting emphasis is put on accuracy. Errors are immediately
corrected by the teacher. Accuracy is therefore more important than meaningful
interaction/ communication. The students are exposed to a small variety of discourse
types. Tasks are normally selected to provide practise with specific grammatical
features rather than for its content. All linguistic patterns are learned separately in
isolation (one item at a time). The sequence of learning is from “simple” to more
“complex” elements. The teacher is often the only proficient speaker the student
comes in contact with. But the teachers often use the students’ native language for
instructions or classroom management.
2) What are the main features of communicative instructional settings?
The communicative instructional setting is more similar to the natural acquisition
process. It is learner centred and often the teacher is the only proficient speaker of the
target language. The emphasis is on the communication of meaning rather than on
grammatical rules. Grammar is only taught if a certain meaning has to be clarified.
The input is often simplified by the teacher so that the students are able to understand
the information transmitted by the teacher. The teacher does not correct the students
every time they do a mistake.
Students often work in pairs or groups which enable them to respond to a greater
amount and variety of language, they are also more self- confident and more motivated
if the students have the chance to work together.
The material used in class should be authentic and the activities involved should
include real life situations. All in all the communicative instructional setting mainly
focuses on the communicative skills and the interaction between the pupils. Students
will also be prepared for real life situations.
3) What is the difference between a mistake and an error?
The main difference between an error and a mistake is that an error indicates a lack of
knowledge whereas a mistake is usually a result of not applying the knowledge which
the learner already possesses at a specific moment (e.g. slip of the tongue). Learners
don’t recognize their errors because they don’t know how to perform better. In
contrast to that, a learner who makes a mistake is able to correct him- or herself.
4) Explain the terms: “Genuine Question” and “Display Question”.
A genuine question can both be asked by the teacher or the learner. It is a question to
get new information and it is asked because of interest.
A display question is asked by the teacher to make the learner think about his/her
language (to display about it).
Source:
Lightbown, Patsy M. & Spada, Nina. How Languages are Learned. 3rd edition. Oxford University Press 2006.