Unit 1 Language and language learning.ppt

Language is a system of arbitrary vocal symbols used for human communication. 1. Language is a system. 2. Language is arbitrary. 3. Language is vocal. 4. Language is for human communication. II. Views on language Structural view Functional view Interactional view Structural view: Language is a linguistic system made up of various subsystems: phonology, morphology, lexicology and syntactics. To learn a language is to learn its vocabulary and structural rules. (P3) Ferdiand de Saussure(1857-1913 ) Functional view: Language is a linguistic system as well as a means for doing things. Learners learn a language in order to be able to do things with it (use it). To perform functions, learners need to know how to combine the grammatical rules and the vocabulary to express notions that perform the functions. (P3) Interactional view: Language is a communicative tool to build up and maintain social relations between people. Learners need to know the rules of a language and where, when and how it is appropriate to use them. (P3) Your view of language determines your way of teaching. What will be your focus in teaching? Structural view– knowledge: vocabulary and grammar (sentence patterns) Functional view– communicative categories, communicative ability (to be able to communicate) Interactional view– to communicate appropriately (communicative strategies, cultural awareness, etc.) Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1990) Audio-Lingual Method ‘Listen and repeat’ drilling activities are the most important classroom activities. Mistakes are immediately corrected and correct utterances are immediately praised. Cognitive view of language and learning If all language is learned by imitation and repetition, how can a child produce a sentence that has never been said by others before? Language is a rule-based system and with a knowledge of the finite rules (language competence), infinite sentences can be produced Influenc