TSLB3303 WEEK 2: Overview of Theories of Language Teaching and Learning
Behaviourism
Cognitivism
Social Constructivism (Vygotsky, Lev)
Humanism
Mastery Learning (Bloom)
Blended Learning
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
Focuses on the idea that all behaviours are learned through interaction with the environment.
Innate or inherited factors have very little influence on behaviour.
Pavlov’s classical conditioning: Response-stimulus
Founders and proponents: Watson, Pavlov, Skinner, Thondike.
Step-by-step: Imitation, repetition, memorisation, controlled drilling, reinforcement
Behaviour is reinforced with a reward or a punishment (Thorndike & Skinner’s Operant conditioning)
How language and content is received, assimilated, stored and recalled in the mind.
Evaluate & Analyse
Noam Chomsky: UG and LAD
Jean Piaget: Stages
Application: Reflection, discussion, express opinion.
Social group constructing things for one another, collaboratively creating a small culture of shared artefacts with shared meanings.
Scaffolding; teacher as MKO must know the ZPD of students.
Application: encouraging students, promote higher order thinking, engage students in meaningful learning
Ensure students master a level before proceeding to next level.
Optimal instruction (quality & learning time to suit individual student’s needs)
Basic principles: Students (normal distribution), learning units, sufficient time, optimal instructions (quality)
Application: determine clear learning outcomes, teaching and learning process, evaluate students’ achievement of LOs and prepare follow-up activities
Learning in class + online learning
Mixed mode classroom
Models:1) F2F + Online activities
2) F2F > Online > F2F Presentation
3) Synchronous + asynchronous
Benefits: flexibility, interaction, enhance learning, virtual citizens, opportunity
Challenges: technology access, design, safety and security, skill development, motivation