Chomsky’s Model Of Language Acquisition

Question 1

What did Noam Chomsky believe?

Answer 1

That the ability to develop language is genetically programmed into individuals

All individuals have the ability to understand and use language and become fluent in their first language by age 5 or 6

Question 2

What is a Language Acquisition Device (LAD)?

Answer 2

Chomsky states that individuals are born with LAD and it enables children to recognise and develop languages they experience

Question 3

What is the critical period?

Answer 3

This is during which children learn language and instinctively seem to gain language

Question 4

Name one strength of Chomsky’s Model of Language Acquisition

Answer 4

Children learning to speak never make grammatical errors such as getting their subjects, verbs and objects in the wrong order

Question 5

Give another strength of Chomsky’s Model of Language Acquisition

Answer 5

If an adult deliberately said a grammatically incorrect sentence, the child would notice

Question 6

Name one weakness of Chomsky’s Model of Language Acquisition

Answer 6

There is a lack of scientific evidence to support his theory

Question 7

Give another weakness of Chomsky’s Model of Language Acquisition

Answer 7

He didn’t take into consideration children who experience delayed language development

E.g. learning disability, hearing or speech impairments