SLA Revision 1

Which of the following statements is true about language acquisition?

• At birth, children know the elementary aspects of the language of their parents.

• By age one, children typically use about three words consisting of single morphemes.

• Babies learn a language best when they are forced to repeat phrases given to them by their parents.

• none of the above

Answer explanation

At birth, human children do not have a language. However, at age 1, most of the children have learnt the phonemes of their parents' language

When young children begin to learn standard grammar, they tend to over regularize it. What does this mean?

• They consistently use correct grammar in virtually every sentence.

• They excessively regulate or control what they say to the point that they become inhibited

• They assume that common syntax rules apply in all situations

• None of the above

Answer explanation

An example is the rule for making the past of regular English verbs. In most cases it is done by adding the suffix ed, as in worked. Children will often apply it to irregular verbs also. Give becomes gived, take becomes taked, eat becomes eated

The best time to learn a second language is in:

• early childhood

• junior and senior high school

• college

Answer explanation

The younger you are the easier it is t learn another language. Developing correct pronunciation is relatively effortless when it is learned during elementary school or earlier. Apparently, language goes into long-term memory easier at this age also.

It is best to learn a second language:

• in a classroom where you can focus on the grammar and receive help from teacher

• through constant contact with native speakers in their own society

• both of the above approaches to learning are equally effective

Answer explanation

This forces you to concentrate on language all of the time. You also are immersed in the culture and learn it simultaneously. This immersion approach can be stressful, but it can effectively get the new language patterns into long-term memory

What is meant by bilingualism?

• The ability to master 2 different languages

• the ability to master one different language

• the ability to master many different languages

• all is correct

Answer explanation

the ability of mastering two different languages

According to SLA theory, the learner must actually notice what is in the input that makes the meaning.

• Monitor theory

• information processing theory

• skill acquisition theory

• Noticing theory

Answer explanation

Information processing theoryInformation processing theory

Deaf children have been the focus on critical periods because

• They often deprived of exposure to language until after the age of puberty

• parents of deaf children cannot communicate with them until they reach school age

• the starting point of exposure to sign language varies for different children

• parents of deaf children vay in how fluent they are in sign language

Research on brain activity in early versus late second language (L2) learners shows that activity in Broca's area is

• higher in late L2 learners

• lower in late L2 learners

• higher in early L2 learners

• lower in early L2 learners

No case of a feral child has ever provided strong support for the critical period hypothesis. This is because for all participants

• neither the period of linguistic deprivation and its starting point were systematically manipulated

• cognitive factors beyond language, including general intelligence, are also impaired

• cases of feral children only occurred before the 20th century and are impossible to verify

• cases of feral children invariably turn out to be hoaxes, in one way or another

Research on second language acquisition seeks evidence for a critical period by comparing

• early starters in second language learning with the late starters

• early-starting monolingual learners with early starting bilingual learners

• early starters in monolingual language learning with the late starters

• late-starting monolingual learners with early starting bilingual learners