Views of How Language is Acquired
Behaviorists-Language is developed by responses to rewards, punishment, imitation and stimulus.
Innatists-Children are born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that helps them learn language.
Constructivists-Language development is connected to cognitive development and is developed in stages.
1. Preverbal (Sensorimotor-ages 0-2)-babbling, crying and repetition of sound.
2. Vocabulary and True language (Preoperational-ages 2-7). Children move from simple sentences and overuse of
some words to more complex sentences that are more grammatically complex.
3. Logical and Socialized Speech (Concrete Operational ages 7-11) Speech moves from symbolic to deeper
discussions that can be used to establish relationships.
4. Abstract Reasoning and Symbolic (Formal Operations-ages 11-15)-speech is more like adults
Social Interactionists-The environment plays a key role in language development. It focuses on the zone of proximal
development which allows teachers to use scaffolding to develop new language by building on previous knowledge.
What can teachers learn from these different views? Positive reinforcement helps create a learning environment. There is a connection between language and cognitive development. Language can be impacted by what the teacher does to help the child in the classroom.
Factors that Negatively Affect Oral Development
Interaction 40 mins. daily 15 mins. daily
Approval/Encouragements 40 times per hour 4 times per hour
Words spoken 3000 per hour 500 per hour
**Differences in language development can be seen by the time a child is 3.**
Factors that Positively Affect Oral Language Development
2. Discuss a variety of topics, respond to student talk and let the conversation evolve based on their comments.
3. Discuss meanings of words and encourage using new vocabulary to show understanding.
4. Ask open ended questions to increase higher order thinking.
5. Challenge students to justify and express their ideas.
6. Give plenty of opportunities to interact with others.
7. Give students speaking, listening, reading and writing activities.
Behaviorists-Language is developed by responses to rewards, punishment, imitation and stimulus.
Innatists-Children are born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that helps them learn language.
Constructivists-Language development is connected to cognitive development and is developed in stages.
1. Preverbal (Sensorimotor-ages 0-2)-babbling, crying and repetition of sound.
2. Vocabulary and True language (Preoperational-ages 2-7). Children move from simple sentences and overuse of
some words to more complex sentences that are more grammatically complex.
3. Logical and Socialized Speech (Concrete Operational ages 7-11) Speech moves from symbolic to deeper
discussions that can be used to establish relationships.
4. Abstract Reasoning and Symbolic (Formal Operations-ages 11-15)-speech is more like adults
Social Interactionists-The environment plays a key role in language development. It focuses on the zone of proximal
development which allows teachers to use scaffolding to develop new language by building on previous knowledge.
What can teachers learn from these different views? Positive reinforcement helps create a learning environment. There is a connection between language and cognitive development. Language can be impacted by what the teacher does to help the child in the classroom.
Factors that Negatively Affect Oral Development
- Language Deficits and Reading-Students with weak oral language have small vocabularies, use nonspecific words frequently and use less complex sentences. Early intervention=increased literacy learning.
- The Effects of Poverty-Students from poverty do not get the language rich environments that they need. They often score lower on reading tests and are at a higher risk for dropping out of school. One study found the following difference in language exposure in professional and welfare homes.
Interaction 40 mins. daily 15 mins. daily
Approval/Encouragements 40 times per hour 4 times per hour
Words spoken 3000 per hour 500 per hour
**Differences in language development can be seen by the time a child is 3.**
Factors that Positively Affect Oral Language Development
- Home environment-Parents can provide books, read to their children and interact while playing and at mealtime.
- Preschool experiences-Teachers can provide read alouds, use rare words and provide time for dramatic play.
- Classroom environment-There are several things teachers can do to stimulate language growth.
2. Discuss a variety of topics, respond to student talk and let the conversation evolve based on their comments.
3. Discuss meanings of words and encourage using new vocabulary to show understanding.
4. Ask open ended questions to increase higher order thinking.
5. Challenge students to justify and express their ideas.
6. Give plenty of opportunities to interact with others.
7. Give students speaking, listening, reading and writing activities.