Five hypotheses about second language acquisition

Second Language AcquisitionFive hypotheses about second language acquisition

1.The acquisition-learning distinction 2.The input hypothesis 3.The monitor hypothesis

4.The affective Filter hypothesis 5.The natural order hypothesis

1)Acquisition vs. LearningThe American SLA scholar Stephen Krashen makes the distinction between acquisition and learning. Krashen holds that language acquisition is a subconscious process to acquire a language in natural settings, while language learning is a conscious process to obtain a language in school settings.

Children obtain their mother tongue not through conscious learning, but the second language, though it can be acquired in appropriate linguistic context, is usually obtained in non-natural environment through formal instruction and conscious learning.

Tough Movement ruleMove the infinitive after the “tough” words to the position immediately before the subject.

John is easy to please.John is eager to please.

To please John is easy.

We walked across the field, carrying heavy equipment.

Across the field, we walked, carrying heavy equipment.

They didn’t walk across the field, carrying heavy equipment.

Across the field, they didn’t walk, carrying heavy equipment.

在否定句中， across引导的方 向或目标附加 状语往往是否 定的焦点，通 常不跳出否定 结构范围之外。

In learning, specific grammatical rules are taught to the students.

在 否 定 句 中 ， towards 引 导 的 方 向 或目标附加状语往 往是否定的焦点,通 常都不跳出否定结 构范围之外。

The soldiers didn’t march towards the fort.

*Towards the fort, the soldiers didn’t march.

Go

在英语中go经常带起 一个方向或目标附加 状语和一个来源附加 状语,如: He went to America from Japan.

当方向或目标附加状语与来源附加 状语同时出现时,其中的来源附加状 语可以移至句首,如:

From Japan, he went to America.

但是在方向或目标 附加状语和来源附 加状语同时出现时, 其中的方向或目标 附加状语不可以移 至句首,如: *To America, he went from Japan.

A rule can be learned before it is internalized (i.e., acquired), but having learned a rule does not necessarily mean the acquisition of it.

For example, a learner may have learned a grammatical rule, but when he uses that rule in communication, he may make mistakes.

Acquisition and learning are two different processes. The former helps the development of language ability while the latter contributes to the development of knowledge of language.