Language Acquisition

AL: A field of applied linguistics Problem oriented

Can deaf children learn to speak if they get a hearing device at 1, 7 or 14?

Should mothers correct „lót”, „kenyért”, „garazsat”, „tégem”, „goed” and „wented”? Do they?

Why do bilingual kids start speaking later? Is it a disadvantage?

Shall I take my child to a Helen Doron language school at 6 months?

EmpiricalMulti-disciplinary

How would you investigate what mothers/teachers actually correct and how? if bilingual speakers are good translators? why an adult learner is incapable of passing the intermediate language exam, essential to keep his job?

Aspects of LA

Process and productFirst and second languageGenetic code and imitationWhorf’s hypothesis

First language acquisition

Nature or nurture?Stages Influences

Theories Imitation Innateness InteractionConnectionsim

The critical period in FLA: Wild children Is there a limit to our

language learning capacity?

Constraints Different CPHs in

different areas of language

Second language acquisition: Differences between L1 and L2

Feature L1 L2

Overall success Perfect Not perfect

Variation Little RouteContextAgePersonality factors

Goals Target language competence

?

Fossilisation Unknown Common

Instruction Not needed Helpful or necessary

Negative evidence No correction Correction is helpful

Affective factors Not involved Play a major role

Focus on variation

Bilingualism

The bilingual advantageDifferent types

Course requirements

Regular attendancePreparing for class (always bring the

material to class!)Active participationA 5-10 mins. presentation on a chosen

topicCompleting 2 testsThe lecture course ends with an exam