Key Terms in Second Language Acquisition

What is the Input Hypothesis in second language acquisition?

• Learners improve their language skills by avoiding exposure to new language input.

• Learners improve their language skills by receiving comprehensible input that is slightly above their current proficiency level.

• Learners improve their language skills by memorizing vocabulary lists.

• Learners improve their language skills by focusing solely on grammar rules.

Explain the concept of Silent Period in the context of second language acquisition.

• The Silent Period is a stage in second language acquisition where learners focus on listening and understanding the new language before actively speaking.

• The Silent Period is a stage where learners only focus on writing in the new language.

• The Silent Period is a stage where learners skip listening and jump straight to speaking in the new language.

• The Silent Period is a stage where learners immediately start speaking fluently in the new language.

What is ultimate attainment in language learning and how does it relate to second language acquisition?

• Ultimate attainment is the same as initial proficiency in language learning.

• Ultimate attainment in language learning is the highest level of proficiency a learner can achieve, often associated with native-like fluency and accuracy. In second language acquisition, it is the goal that learners strive for but may not always reach.

• Ultimate attainment is easily achievable by all language learners.

• Second language acquisition is not related to ultimate attainment.

Discuss the role of language transfer in second language acquisition.

• Language transfer guarantees successful second language acquisition

• Language transfer plays a significant role in second language acquisition by influencing various aspects of learning, both positively and negatively.

• Language transfer only affects pronunciation in second language acquisition

• Language transfer has no impact on second language acquisition

Differentiate between output and transfer in the context of second language acquisition.

• Output is the language produced by the learner, while transfer is the influence of the learner's native language on their second language learning process.

• Output refers to written language, while transfer refers to spoken language

• Output is the result of language testing, while transfer is the process of changing languages

• Output is the language input by the learner, while transfer is the process of sharing language skills with others

Explain the concept of universal grammar and its impact on second language acquisition.

• Universal grammar is a theory that suggests language learning is solely influenced by environmental factors.

• Universal grammar argues that language acquisition is primarily dependent on genetic factors rather than cognitive abilities.

• Universal grammar proposes that each language has unique underlying structures that are not shared with other languages.

• Universal grammar posits that humans have inherent linguistic abilities that facilitate language learning, impacting second language acquisition by suggesting common underlying structures across languages.

How does structuralism influence the study of second language acquisition?

• Structuralism emphasizes the importance of form and grammar rules in second language acquisition.

• Structuralism disregards the importance of cultural context in second language acquisition.

• Structuralism focuses on pronunciation in second language acquisition.

• Structuralism promotes memorization of vocabulary in second language acquisition.

What is language aptitude and how does it affect second language acquisition?

• Language aptitude is solely determined by age and has no effect on second language acquisition.

• Language aptitude is only relevant for written languages, not spoken ones, in second language acquisition.

• Language aptitude is the same for everyone and does not impact second language acquisition.

• Language aptitude is an individual's innate ability to learn languages, influencing the speed and proficiency of second language acquisition.

Discuss the importance of understanding key terms in second language acquisition for language learners.

• Understanding key terms in second language acquisition is crucial for language learners as it helps them grasp the fundamental concepts, communicate effectively, and navigate the learning process more efficiently.

• Navigating the learning process is more efficient without understanding key terms in second language acquisition.

• Language learners can easily communicate without understanding key terms in second language acquisition.

• Understanding key terms in second language acquisition is irrelevant for language learners.