Friday, November 11, 2011

Learning vs. Acquisition (Entry 6)

In chapter 2 of Freeman and Freeman's Essential Linguistics (2004), the distinguishing factors of two theories of language teaching are discussed.  The following chart highlights those factors.

Learning/Word Recognition
Reading-   
  • Main task of reading is to identify words
  • Recode words to make meaning of text
  • Apply phonics rules in order to identify words (memorize sight words that do not follow phonics rules)
  • Pre-teach vocabulary words
  • Frequent reading aloud with teacher providing unknown words (“Round Robin”)
  • Belief that if a student can read a word, they can understand the word   

Writing-
  • Goal is to produce a quality piece of writing
  • Teachers break apart elements and teach each part (letters, words, sentences, paragraphs, essays)
  • Topics are assigned
  • Emphasis on conventions and mechanics
  • Handwriting, grammar, and spelling are major components
  • All writing is edited by teacher and published

Language Development-
  • Goal is for students to correctly speak and understand language
  • Teach each part of the language directly
  • Oral and written drills for practice
  • Errors are immediately corrected
Acquisition/Sociopsycholinguistic
Reading-
  • Reading is constructing meaning
  • Meaning comes from background knowledge, graphophonics, syntax, and semantics
  • Study of word parts has limited value
  • Students acquire vocabulary through reading, rather than pre-taught words and definitions
  • Most reading is done silently in the classroom
  • Teachers help students develop reading strategies
Writing- 
  • Goal is to understand the process of writing
  • Writing reflects competency with language and communication
  • Choice in topic of writing for students
  • Students practice various forms of writing
  • Writer’s workshop
  • The more students read, the better they write
  • Mini-lessons provide instruction on style and mechanics
  • Students are encouraged to share their writing
Language Development-
  • Goal is for students to use language for different purposes
  • Understand language in various settings
  • Build-up language through listening and reading
  • Students are asked to use language to complete tasks
  • Teachers help students communicate their message and give them strategies for linguistic challenges
 

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