Assignment 7 by Tabita Rauli

Rosalia

rosaliadian — 2015-03-16 15:22:27 UTC

Right, Mbak Dewi, Cognitivist theorist do not say that humans have a specific part for language acquisition, but general cognitive capacity to acquire any knowledge including language.

Rosalia

rosaliadian — 2015-03-16 15:22:32 UTC

Let's discuss. So there are two big different perspective of language acquisition. The theory which proposes that language is acquired through habits and the theory which proposes that language is innatis. And in

Heekyong

heekyong10 — 2015-03-16 15:23:56 UTC

According to sociocultural theory, speaking and thinking are closely related. People can gain control over their mental processes as a consequence of internalizing what others say to them and what they say to others.

When we learn second language, do we need inteliocuter's support?

Rosalia

rosaliadian — 2015-03-16 15:32:36 UTC

Socio cultural theory, which is based on the work of Vygotsky (1978) focuses on learner's concious attention to the form of a language in interaction with other learners or interlocutors in conversation. Learners are trying to construct their utterances and focus on the form. Through the process they acquire the language. Meaning and form are acquired through the interaction with others who are more professional or interlocutors.

Rosalia

rosaliadian — 2015-03-16 15:40:41 UTC

Without the interaction, learners of L2 are hardly able to produce the form. This is the point where learners are in Zone of Proximal Development or ZPD.

Heekyong

heekyong10 — 2015-03-16 15:44:36 UTC

Then there are always interlocutors who can support higher levels than learners,

Rosalia

rosaliadian — 2015-03-16 15:49:08 UTC

based on the perspective offered in sociocultural theory, it is under the umbrella of interactionist theory. Remember the class discussion in meeting 7? I have a student who learned English. We taught him for three years. The conversations did happen but not too often, since the focus of school curriculum is reading and writing. He seemed enjoy relaxing concersation in English with us English teachers. His ability to speak was better than

Rosalia

rosaliadian — 2015-03-16 15:56:54 UTC

His ability to speak was better than his understanding grammar. When it comes to grammar, he failed to get good mark. His ability to speak developed better when he studies abroad and interacts with foreign students and lecturer who speak English. I see this case as the true side of Sociocultural theory. Based on interaction hypothesis, which

Heekyong

heekyong10 — 2015-03-16 15:58:52 UTC

Very interesting, Rosalia.

His ability of second language acquisition sounds natural. is the ability innate and also has a critical period? I also had a student like yours but my student had a experience of studying English abroad.

Heekyong

heekyong10 — 2015-03-16 16:03:48 UTC

My daughter who is around her puberty and is attending international school in Jakarta has a little difficulties but not as much as her friends in Korea. Can this case be a proof of sociocultural perspective ?

Or does her innate abilty help her acquire second language?

Rosalia

rosaliadian — 2015-03-16 16:03:57 UTC

Based on the interaction hypothesis, conversation is essential in learning the second language. The hypothesis is not in one line with Krashen's hypothesis of comprehensible input, that learner's passive reception of comprehensible input can reinforce SLA. Activities in conversation are needed to acquiring language. Do you think that interaction is a habit? If so that will make sociocultural supports behaviorist theoty. But if not, it will prove the other way. what do you think?

Yeni

luciayenicb — 2015-03-17 10:28:02 UTC

It makes sense since in behaviorist theory it emphasizes on stimulus, response and rewards. adults take a big part in these cases because they will give more stimulus, response and rewards under purpose that children are able to acquire language like adults.

Tabita

tata_tabita18 — 2015-03-17 10:38:17 UTC

Yes, Ms. Lia sociocultural supports behaviorist theory. Why I said that because in sociocultural, the role of environment and society play a lot. The influence of adults really matters to support the learners. If the environment does not support the SLA process, that means the learners will be difficult to acquire the second language. While the cognitivist support the innatist, why? because all people including children have what it is called UG. Cognitivist think that general cognitive processes used for all kinds of learning can also explain SLA.

Dewi

rosaliadian — 2015-03-17 10:46:02 UTC

Innatist theory proposes that cognitive capacity doesn't limit language acquisition. Cognitive capacity of a human is open for any aspects of knowledge. One of it is language acquisition.

Tabita

luciayenicb — 2015-03-17 11:04:34 UTC

so, here is the conclusion of our discussion; that cognitivist talks about the cognitive capacity to acquire language. Cognitivist proposes general cognitive processes is used for all kinds of learning including SLA. the knowledge of language is a process in the brain. Learners can build up their language by being exposed to examples of language features. This theory is known as connectionism. This process explains that the behaviorism is not proven because brain has functions t process a langauge not the habit. That's why the cognitivist is not related to behaviorits but to innatist.

Yeni

luciayenicb — 2015-03-17 11:11:54 UTC

in the other hand, the sociocultural theories state that SLA learners should have active interaction with people with higher proficiency or interlocutors. this will bring learners in interactional habits. this theory support behaviorist which emphasizes on stimulus, response and rewards.