Theories to Language ACQUISITION

1. THEORIES OF FIRST
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

2. 1 Structuralists
2 Transformationalists
3 Functionalists
4 Interactionists
THEORIES OF LANGUAGE

3. see language in terms of
structure
STRUCTURALISTS

4. They believe that by
describing the
observable and
verifiable features of
the language, one can
learn it.
STRUCTURALISTS

5. They see language as
system and studying
these systems would
make it possible to
learn language.
STRUCTURALISTS

6. PREVALENT THOUGHTS
OUT OF
STRUCTURALISTS
VIEW

7. LANGUAGE IS A
MEANS FOR
COMMUNICATION
1.

8. Language is an important tool
for communicating. It gives
shape to people’ thoughts, as
well as guides and controls
their activity.

9. 2. LANGUAGE IS
PRIMARY VOCAL

10. Speech is the primary concern
of language, and the written
form is merely a graphic
representation of the oral
language. Therefore, it is
assumed that speech is a
priority in language
teaching.

11. 3. LANGUAGE IS A
SYSTEM

12. Language is a system which is
structurally related with other
elements or ‘building blocks’
for the encoding of meaning.
These elements are the phonemes
(sounds), morphemes (words), and
tagmemes (phrases and
sentences/clauses).

13. 4. LANGUAGE IS
ARBITRARY

14. There is no inherent relation
between the words of a language
and their meaning or ideas
conveyed by them. The
relationship between the words
and the “things” they denote is
merely dictated by what the
natives “want” it to be.

15. FOUR MAIN SKILLS
IN STRUCTURALISM

16. Understanding the grammatical
structures
Speaking properly, according to the
rules of proper grammar and
mechanics; using proper sentence
structure

17. Reading properly, according the
rules of comprehension
Writing properly, according to the
rules of proper grammar and
mechanics; using proper sentence
structure

18. The overarching focus of these four
areas is proper order. Teaching
English using this methodology places
emphasis on the proper order and
structure of understanding, speaking,
reading and writing the English
language.

19. For young English learners, the
basic, fundamental approach to the
language can make it easy to learn.
The heavy focus on mechanics and
proper structure make access to the
language more concrete, therefore
easier to learn.
Strengths of Structuralism

20. supports proper use of the language
in verbal and written expression
increases the likelihood that the
English leaner will speak and write
English in the proper way. .
Strengths of Structuralism

21. Because of the interrelated
nature, understanding the
foundation first, students more
easily learn more complex grammar
and word use as they move through
the curriculum

22. Because it starts with the early
structures first and builds upward,
the structuralist approach is best
suited for young students in early
elementary. Therefore, unless this
approach has been started in the
early grades, it would difficult to
introduce it later on in middle or
high school.
WEAKNESSES OF STRUCTURALISM

23. because the focus is often so
structured, and often relies on
rote memory, there is less focus on
the reading and creative writing of
the students.
WEAKNESSES OF STRUCTURALISM

24. believe that language is innate and
universal. They believe that language
rules are universal and every normal
being would eventually find ways to
transform input into intelligible
language.
TRANSFORMATIONALISTS

25. IMPORTANT TENETS OF
TRANSFORMATIONALIST
VIEW TO LANGUAGE

26. LANGUAGE IS A
MENTAL
PHENOMENON.
1.

27. 2. LANGUAGE IS
INNATE.

28. 3. LANGUAGE IS
UNIVERSAL.

29. Believe that language is vehicle for
expressing “functional meaning” such
as expressing one’s emotions,
persuading people, asking and giving
information, making people do things
for others, etc.
FUNCTIONALISTS

30. This view deviates from the
structural view since it focuses more
on the meaning rather than form.
Thus, this leads to a language
teaching that prioritizes the
teaching of language notions and
functions rather than language rules.
FUNCTIONALISTS

31. believe that language is a vehicle
for establishing interpersonal
relations and for performing social
transactions between individuals.
INTERACTIONISTS

32. Interactionist principles are basically
pegged on the socio-cultural theory of
Levinsky Vygotsky and the Experiential
learning theory of Jean Piaget and John
Dewey. Interactionists view language as
a vital tool in creating and
maintaining social relations through
conversations.
INTERACTIONISTS

33. BASIC PREMISES
(Richards and
Rodgers, 2001)

34. We are born to talk.
Talk is organized in conversations.
Conversations have rules/maxims.
Maxims are learnt through
participation in cooperatively
structured interactional
activities.
1.
2.
3.
4.