Theories - Child Language Acquisition

?
Noam Chomsky is a nativist, what two key elements of CLA does he suggest?
LAD and Universal Grammar.
1 of 26
What is the LAD and Universal Grammar?
LAD - Language Acquisition Device, controls development of lang. Universal Grammar is a child's ability to learn any language when born.
2 of 26
What is a nativist's POV on CLA?
We are pre-programmed to learn language. It is innate.
3 of 26
What are the pros of Chomsky's theory?
Medical research that shows that specific parts of the brain control language and that all children globally go through very similar stages, this being evidence.
4 of 26
What are the cons of Chomsky's theory?
There are no practical experiments as Chomsky simply hypothesized his theory.
5 of 26
How would you look for Chomsky's theory in data?
1) Children doing more than simply imitating speech. 2) Children resisting or not responding to correction of speech from adults.
6 of 26
Who invented the WUG test?
Jean-Berko Gleason.
7 of 26
What does the WUG test prove?
Children understand plurals even when asked to say them about a word that is not a part of their vocab.
8 of 26
How would you look for Berko-Gleason's theory in data?
1) The use of virtuous errors. These are logical mistakes made based on the rules children already know, i.e 'mouses'. 2) Child using correct plurals (s), past tense (ed), comparative adj (er) or superlative adj (est).
9 of 26
Which category does Jerome Bruner belong to with his theory of LASS and critical period?
Social Interactionist.
10 of 26
What is LASS?
Language Acquisition Support System. These being the parents/carers/siblings that interact and influence the language development of a child. The immediate environment it has.
11 of 26
What do Social Interactionists believe on CLA?
That the interactions between a child and carer are crucial to language development, such as using CDS and the importance of turn-taking during speech.
12 of 26
What is critical period regarding CLA?
Time period in which a child can learn language, this is age 5 up to puberty. Learning language after this time would be extremely difficult and likely too late for a child to properly grasp language.
13 of 26
How would you look for Bruner's theory in data?
1) Children enjoying/benefitting from interaction. 2) Parents reinforcing a child's attempt to speak by responding in a positive way. 3) Adults using CDS. 4) Pragmatic awareness and concersation skills being taught/learned through interactions.
14 of 26
Vgotsky is a social interactionist, what did he suggest about CLA?
Collaborative play - What a child can do in co-operation today, he can do alone tomorrow. Zone of proximal development - Difference between what a child can do with help and what they can do without guidance.
15 of 26
How would you sum up Vgotsky's theory?
The more you talk to your child, the more they learn.
16 of 26
What category does Piaget belong to?
Cognitivists.
17 of 26
Piaget presented object permenance, what is this?
The ability of a child to understand that an object still exists even if it isn't in sight. Piaget believed a child cannot linguistically articulate concepts they don't understand.
18 of 26
How would you look for Piaget's theory in data?
1) Children taling to themselves while playing/working on a task. Trying to make sense of something by helping themselves. 2) Children not understanding or using language because they haven't grasped the concept expressed by the language.
19 of 26
What did Ursula Bellugi suggest regarding CLA?
The stages of pronouns, questions and negatives.
20 of 26
What are the stages of pronouns?
Stage 1 - No pronouns used, only proper nouns 'Jack go'. Stage 2 - First person pronouns used, egocentric 'I, my'. Stage 3 - All pronouns used correctly.
21 of 26
What are the stages of questions?
Stage 1 - No question words, only rising intonation. Stage 2 - Question words, no grammar 'where daddy'. Stage 3 - Questions words/grammar used correctly.
22 of 26
What are the stages of negatives?
Stage 1 - Negating particle at start of a sentence 'no go'. Stage 2 - Negating particle in middle of a sentence, still no grammar. Stage 3 - Correct use, negating particle in middle and correct grammar 'I don't want to go'.
23 of 26
What did behaviourist Skinner suggest about CLA?
Language is another form of learned behaviour.
24 of 26
What is positive and negative reinforcement in terms of CLA?
Positive reinforcement - encouraging/praising a child for speech. Negative reinforcement -
25 of 26
How would you look for Skinner's theory in data?
1) Adults explicitly modelling/teaching language with children responding/imitating adult's speech. 2) Use of adjacency pairs and turn-taking. 3) Repairing mistakes after adult correction and praising or telling off from parents.
26 of 26

Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What is the LAD and Universal Grammar?

Back

LAD - Language Acquisition Device, controls development of lang. Universal Grammar is a child's ability to learn any language when born.

Card 3

Front

What is a nativist's POV on CLA?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are the pros of Chomsky's theory?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are the cons of Chomsky's theory?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
View more cards

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar English Language resources:

See all English Language resources »See all Child language acquisition resources »