Recap - Theories of Language Acquisition - Chomsky & Skinner

Chomsky's theory of language development is know as what?

• Naturist

• Socialist

• Nativist

• Behaviourist

According to Chomsky, babies brains are programmed to learn language

• True

• False

One of Chomsky's theoretical concepts for language development was the LAD. What does LAD stand for?

• Local Acquisition Device

• Language Acquired Development

• Language Auditory Device

• Language Acquisition Device

What did Chomsky mean by the term 'universal grammar'?

• All children learn to spell using their phonic knowledge

• Grammar rules, eg verb, nouns are hardwired in the brain and applies to all languages

• All children learn language in the same sequence

• Language learning is unique to every culture

What is meant by Chomsky's 'critical learning period'?

• Children aged birth to adolescence

• The period where language is learnt

• The common time frame during which all languages are learnt

• Language must be acquired in this period, or it may not be fully learnt at all

Give 1 example of how Chomsky's theory has influenced practice in education and early years. Limit to 1-2 words max.

What type of theory is Skinner's theory of language know as?

• Cognitivist

• Behaviourist

• Nativist

• Constructivist

Skinner believed that children learn language how?

• External stimuli

• As a result of nature

• Copying others

• Punishing negative language

Skinner's theory is also referred to as what?

• Classical conditioning

• Social learning

• Biological programming

• Operant conditioning