Answer 3 questions about the language teaching and learning Essay

Answer 3 questions about the language teaching and learning - Essay Example The subjects were administered a grammaticality judgment test consisting of 276 English sentences, some grammatical and others ungrammatical. The results showed that those AOA was less than 17 performed better. In a re-analysis of this data conducted by Bialstok and Hakuta (1994), there were significant correlations in both groups if the cut-off point was taken to be 20 instead of 17. Such studies cast some doubt on the CPH. Even if one single exception to the rule is discovered, the theory is falsified. But does it deserve to be falsified? The complications arise on account of a number of factors. The tests conducted to judge the proficiency of learners is significant. They perform better in the written tests than in oral tests. Moreover, there are so many areas when we refer to linguistic competency – phonology, morphophoniology, syntax, dialect, discourse processes, pragmatics etc. De Keyser replicated Johnson and Newport’s study and concluded that there is a critica l age for language acquisition provided the CPH is understood narrowly, as applying only to implicit learning of abstract structures. Other factors which matter are whether the adult learners get any instruction, what type of instruction and for what duration. We can conclude that evidence against CPH is available no doubt but evidence supporting the CPH is much more and significant. A very interesting example is that of Indian children who were made to learn by heart Sanskrit verses by heart irrespective of their mother tongue. They recited them clearly and fluently even though they did not understand the meaning. Deliberate efforts on the part of adults who could comprehend the meaning were also not successful!!! The safest way is to follow the thumb rule – the earlier, the better, in language learning, as in everything else. Q3. Which theory of SLA appeals to you most? A good theory in SLA should address questions like what does L2 knowledge consist of and how that knowled ge is acquired. The roles of both nature and nurture are significant in SLA. Eacg theory deals with a different aspect of SLA. All theories contribute substantially to SLA. They are complementary to each other. Goals to SLA learning cannot be ignored, nor can process of learning, immersion or instruction. At the same time, we have to admit that something like UG does exist. The CPH also cannot be altogether discarded. However, Krashen’s Input Theory and explicit instruction is the most proven as far as success in SLA goes. Input can be specially prepared, graded, monitored and delivered in order to make SLA a well-organized, satisfying experience. Its results are also known to be durable. Q 1. Discuss and evaluate Norris and Ortega’s seminal study of the effectiveness of L2 instruction. A bulk of research reports on effectiveness of L2 instruction was published during 1980 and 1998. Norris and Ortega carried out a systematic analysis of these reports and arrived at cer tain important conclusions related to major aspects of L2 instruction. It was Long ( 1983 ) who first concluded that instruction makes a difference in L2 acquisition as compared to naturalistic exposure. Norris and Ortega observe that all reports share the premise that the goal of instructional intervention is to change the focal attention of learners

Final Exam Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Final Exam - Essay Example Although the act adds responsibility for the chief executives it benefit’s the public shareholders and protects them from unethical business transactions. The executives are placed in a position where they can easily fall prey to accidental false records or records that are misreported by someone else. Executives could find it difficult to track company spending on lower levels and ensure that all transactions are being reported. Without security, investors will not place trust in a company they do not have accurate reports on. This also gives investors the sense that rather than having their money controlled by one person, they have a say in their money and they have a right to see where the money goes and where it grows. This security encourages investors to place this money in these companies once again. 2. If someone was reading my CAT scan from halfway around the world I would have mixed feelings. I would be impressed and feel pride in the fact that we have advanced our technology enough to have the ability to accomplish something like this. I also think it would be a great way to access other opinions. If the doctors in my area are unfamiliar with certain conditions, having access to other information sources or doctors with various experience can be very positive. I might be diagnosed or healed faster if the doctor is familiar with the type of symptoms I have. It also gives the chance for medicine to grow faster as a whole with the exchange of ideas and experiences. On the other hand, if someone over there is reading my CAT scan, then someone over here is not. As long as there are qualified physicians near me who have the same level of expertise, the job should be left to them. If the doctor across the way does it cheaper, more hospitals will be inclined to hire doctors in foreign countries and our own doctors will be out of jobs or suffer significant salary decreases. If I was certain that this type of