Literature Review of Theories of Second Language ‎Acquisition

Abstract

In Theories of Second Language Acquisition, the Behaviorist theory of second language acquisition proposes that children imitate language by people around them and accurate attempts will be followed by reinforcement.  The quality and quantity of reinforcements molds the language behavior.  Habits learning the first language interfere with new habits needed for second language learning is called the contrastive analyst hypothesis.  Errors are caused by transfer from the first language.  Innatist theory states that humans are born with biological mental structures for language acquisition and discover language rules based on common universal grammar principal (U.G.)  Interactionist/ Developmental theory examines the interplay between children’s innate learning ability and the environment they develop in.  J. Piaget believed children’s language is built on their cognitive development within their play and interaction with objects and people.  Communicative theory assumes second language learning is made up of knowledge of language structure and its functions in communicative settings.  S. Krashen’s five hypothesis Monitor Model is presented and critiqued by contrastive analysis, error analysis, error treatment, inter-language, fossilization, and comprehensible output hypothesis.