Language Learning Key Concepts

Nature of Language

Acquisition versus learning

Language learner attributes

Language learning process

Language as both form and substance

Language as an acitvity

Language as a form

Language as a system of arbitrary vocal symbols

Language as a substance

Language as structural view, communicative view and interactional view

language is composed of items that one can see and hear, feel and think about

language classifies speech by form and not by meaning

language is likely to be able to express certain things and incapable of others

considered as either a pursuit of the mind or the brain

anguage will work effectively in performing its functions if its symbols are appropriately perceived by both the speaker and the listener/receiver of the message

Young children and home language

Bilingualism and its Impact on Cognitive Development

Brain development and language

English Language Learners (ELL) in the Mainstream Classroom

scaffolding method

Children need interaction with others in order to acquire and learn how language works from
those interactions

If a child hasn’t mastered their first
language they will struggle mastering a second language

willing to make mistakes

enjoy grammar

willing and accurate guessers

make their own opportunities, and find strategies for getting
practice in using the language inside and outside the classroom

motivated to learn and they believe that they are capable of
learning.

Acquisition

Learning

children acquire their first language

integral part of the unity of all language

based on the neuro-psychological processes

conscious process

product of either formal learning
situation or a self-study programme

learning English as a second language