FLA Theorists

Question 1

Who is the main proponent of Behaviourist Theory?

Answer 1

Skinner

Question 2

What is the key idea behind Behaviourist Theory

Answer 2

Language learning is a result of imitation, reinforcement and conditioning. Children learn by mimicking the speech they hear and receiving positive reinforcement for correct usage.

Question 3

What is the role of positive reinforcement in Behaviourist Theory?

Answer 3

Positive reinforcement encourages the repetition of correct language by rewarding the child, which strengthens language learning.

Question 4

How can examples from a child’s speech demonstrate Behaviourist Theory in action?

Answer 4

Look for main clauses, noun phrases, or adjectival phrases where a caregiver offers positive reinforcement.

Question 5

What are the main criticisms of Behaviourist Theory

Answer 5

It’s criticized for underestimating the complexity of language learning and the role of innate cognitive processes.

Question 6

How can Behaviourist Theory support ideas from Vygotsky, Bruner and Tomasello?

Answer 6

Their concepts such as ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) and the more knowledgeable others, scaffolds and usage-based ideas all rely on positive reinforcement as part of learning.

Question 7

Who is the main proponent of Nativist Theory?

Answer 7

Noam Chomsky

Question 8

What is the key idea behind Nativist Theory?

Answer 8

Children are born with an innate ability to learn language, known as the Language Acquisition Device (LAD), and all humans have a universal grammar underlying all languages.

Question 9

What is the Language Acquisition Device (LAD)?

Answer 9

A hypothetical mechanism in the brain proposed by Chomsky that enables children to learn language and to understand its structure straight away.

Question 10

What are examples that demonstrate Nativist Theory in action?

Answer 10

Overextensions of grammatical rules or original utterances like ‘sheeps’ which children have likely not heard from caregivers but derived from their internalized rules.

Question 11

Who conducted the Wug Test and how does it support Nativist Theory?

Answer 11

Jean Berko.
The test shows children can apply morphological rules to novel words, demonstrating an innate understanding of linguistic rules.

Question 12

What are the criticisms of Nativist Theory?

Answer 12

Critics argue it overlooks the role of social interaction and environment factors in language learning and that it does not fully address syntax, semantics or pragmatics.

Question 13

How can the Wug Test challenges Behaviourist Theory?

Answer 13

By demonstrating that children apply internalized grammatical rules to novel words, it suggest language acquisition is not solely based on imitation or reinforcement.

Question 14

What are limitations of the Wug Test?

Answer 14

The focus on morphological rules may not reflect the full complexity of language acquisition, and the use of invented words might lack the contextual and semantic richness of real language.

Question 15

What should you look for in data to support Chomsky or Berko’s ideas?

Answer 15

Application of grammatical rules to novel words (pluralisation or verb conjunction)

• Instances where a child generalizes rules from familiar to unfamiliar words
• Evidence of implicit linguistic knowledge without explicit teaching
• Consistency in rule application across different contexts.

Question 16

Who is the main proponent of Social Interactionist Theory?

Answer 16

Lev Vygotsky

Question 17

What is the key idea behind Vygotsky’s Social Interactionist Theory?

Answer 17

Language development is driven by social interaction and communication with others.
Children learn language through meaningful interactions and often use words before fully understanding the underlying concept, relying on More Knowledgeable Others, to guide them through ZPD.

Question 18

What is the Zone of Proximal Development?

Answer 18

It is the range of tasks that a child can perform with guidance and support from a More Knowledgeable Other but cannot yet accomplish independently

Question 19

What are criticisms of Vygotsky’s theory?

Answer 19

Critics argue it may overemphasize the role of social interaction at the exapanse of innate cognitive abilities, as highlighted by theorists like Chomsky and Piaget.

Question 20

What examples might support Vygotsky’s theory?

Answer 20

Instances Instances where caregivers provide structured support during a task, Q&A discourse structures, or the use of Child Directed Speech (CDS) to guide and encourage language use during activities.

Question 21

Who is the main proponent of Social Interactionist Theory?

Answer 21

Lev Vygotsky

Question 22

What is the key idea behind Vygotsky’s Social Interactionist Theory?

Answer 22

Language development is driven by social interaction and communication with others. Children learn language through meaningful interactions and often use words before fully understanding the underlying concepts, relying on More Knowledgeable Others (MKOs) to guide them through the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD).

Question 23

What are criticisms of Vygotsky’s theory?

Answer 23

Critics argue it may overemphasize the role of social interaction at the expense of innate cognitive abilities, as highlighted by theorists like Chomsky and Piaget.

Question 24

What examples might support Vygotsky’s theory?

Answer 24

Instances where caregivers provide structured support during a task, Q&A discourse structures, or the use of Child Directed Speech (CDS) to guide and encourage language use during activities.

Question 25

Who is associated with language functions in Social Interactionist Theory?

Answer 25

Michael Halliday

Question 26

What is Halliday's contribution to Social Interactionist Theory?

Answer 26

He proposed that children use language to interact with their environment and fulfil various functions, emphasizing the role of language in social contexts.

Question 27

What criticisms are associated with Halliday's theory?

Answer 27

The overlap of functions can make it hard to definitively categorize elements of child speech, and the subjective attribution of functions may lack empirical support. Additionally, it might overemphasize social interaction while neglecting cognitive complexities.

Question 28

What should you look for to apply Halliday’s ideas?

Answer 28

Observe what the child says and connect it to the purpose they’re trying to achieve—for example, identifying specific functions of their speech based on their interactions with the environment.

Question 29

Who is the main proponent of Cognitive Theory?

Answer 29

Jean Piaget

Question 30

What is the key idea behind Cognitive Theory?

Answer 30

Language acquisition is part of overall cognitive development. Children learn language as they develop cognitive abilities and understand the world, needing conceptual knowledge before using certain linguistic structures.

Question 31

What is the Sensorimotor Stage (Birth to 2 years) according to Piaget?

Answer 31

It is the stage where infants learn about the world through senses and actions, and develop object permanence, realizing objects continue to exist even when they can't be seen.

Question 32

What is the Preoperational Stage (2 to 7 years)?

Answer 32

In this stage, children begin using language and thinking symbolically, but their thinking is still intuitive and egocentric. They struggle with understanding others’ perspectives.

Question 33

How does Piaget’s theory contrast with Vygotsky’s?

Answer 33

Piaget argues that conceptual understanding precedes language, while Vygotsky suggests that language comes before understanding concepts.

Question 34

What are criticisms of Piaget’s Cognitive Theory?

Answer 34

Critics argue it may not fully account for the specific linguistic abilities that children demonstrate early in life, such as producing grammatically complex sentences.

Question 35

What should you look for in data to support Piaget’s theory?

Answer 35

Incidents where a child’s conceptual knowledge influences their language use, such as understanding size but using incorrect words (e.g., “that one’s getting longer and that one’s getting smaller”).

Question 36

Can you give an example of a child demonstrating conceptual development in language?

Answer 36

A child might say, “My timer. One two three twelve that’s it only that number,” showing an attempt to label and organize numerical concepts with language.

Question 37

How can Piaget’s theory be evaluated using Chomsky’s ideas?

Answer 37

Examples of linguistic structures exceeding conceptual understanding might challenge Piaget, as they suggest innate grammatical knowledge (e.g., overgeneralization of grammar rules).

Question 38

Who is the main proponent of Usage-Based Theory?

Answer 38

Michael Tomasello

Question 39

What is the key idea behind Usage-Based Theory?

Answer 39

Language learning is based on the use of language in social contexts. Children learn by recognizing patterns and using their cognitive skills to understand and produce language both consciously and unconsciously.

Question 40

How does Usage-Based Theory contrast with Chomsky’s ideas?

Answer 40

Tomasello challenges the concept of an innate universal grammar, instead emphasizing the role of experience and interaction in learning language.

Question 41

What evidence supports Usage-Based Theory?

Answer 41

Instances where a child expands their own utterances, such as naming a "ball" and "table" separately, then combining them to say "Ball table," or using verbs in different forms (e.g., present simple, past tense, continuous) as they develop language patterns.

Question 42

What are criticisms of Usage-Based Theory?

Answer 42

Critics argue it may overlook innate grammatical structures and overemphasize the role of social interaction and experience.

Question 43

What should you look for in a transcript to support Usage-Based Theory?

Answer 43

Look for: * Developmental patterns in a child’s language, such as combining known words into new expressions. * Expansion of grammatical usage, such as moving from present simple to past tense and continuous forms. * Evidence of pattern recognition and application in language production.

Question 44

Can you give an example of pattern recognition in language development?

Answer 44

A child might learn to name individual objects like "ball" and "table," then see a ball on a table and say "Ball table," showcasing their ability to combine language patterns.

Question 45

Who is the main proponent of Constructivist Theory?

Answer 45

Jerome Bruner

Question 46

What is the key idea behind Constructivist Theory?

Answer 46

Language acquisition is a process of constructing knowledge through interaction with the environment. Bruner's Language Acquisition Support System (LASS) emphasizes the role of caregivers in providing scaffolding for language learning.

Question 47

What is the Language Acquisition Support System (LASS)?

Answer 47

LASS refers to the framework through which caregivers support and scaffold a child’s language development, helping them navigate language tasks effectively.

Question 48

What are examples of scaffolding in language learning?

Answer 48

Instances where caregivers use Child Directed Speech (CDS), open and closed questions, or positive reinforcement (Skinner) to guide children through tasks and encourage language use.

Question 49

How does Constructivist Theory challenge Behaviourist Theory?

Answer 49

While recognizing reinforcement as a part of learning, Constructivist Theory argues that language acquisition involves more than just imitation and reinforcement, incorporating active construction of knowledge.

Question 50

What criticisms are associated with Constructivist Theory?

Answer 50

Some argue that it does not fully explain the innate aspects of language learning, such as universal grammar proposed by Chomsky.

Question 51

What should you look for in a transcript to support Constructivist Theory?

Answer 51

* Interactions where a caregiver provides clear scaffolding, leading the child through a task. * Use of CDS, including simplified language and repetition. * Open and closed questions that guide and challenge the child’s thinking. * Positive reinforcement that encourages language exploration and usage.

Question 52

How does Constructivist Theory relate to Vygotsky's ideas?

Answer 52

Both emphasize the importance of social interactions and scaffolding in language development, highlighting the role of caregivers in supporting the child’s learning process.

Question 53

Can you give an example of scaffolding in action?

Answer 53

A caregiver might ask open-ended questions like, “What do we call this animal?” while pointing to a dog, then provide prompts like, “It starts with a 'd' sound.”