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Unit Learning Objectives

Identify Language Learning basics and learning theories.
Analyze case studies about learning theories,
Reflect on personal learning experience
Explore how language development looks from an educator's perspective.

Lesson 1.1: Introduction to Language Learning Theories

What is the Science of Learning?

Introduction: How we learn is fascinating, learning how our minds grab information and filter them according to multiple factors mesmerizes us of how much our brain can comprehend. speaking of factors affecting learning, in your notes, start writing down an "aha" moment that happened sometime ago. It might be a moment when you understood something that you though was too hard, or connected some incidents together and reiterated a life situation.

>>In your journal, write down a learning moment and make sure you mention the following:

what is the context of the situation?
where there anyone with you?
If yes, what was their role?
what helped you to learn/understand?
Why this moment is important?
How this moment informed your future thinking/decision?

Institute for Applied Neuroscience. (n.d.). *The learning sciences: 10 key principles*. Digital Promise. Retrieved November 19, 2023, from https://researchmap.digitalpromise.org/topics/introduction-learning-sciences/

How people learn is a huge realm of research that include multiple factors of learning. Through this course we will unpack through multiple learning theories. Reflecting on the memories you shared earlier, what we learn is stored in our brains and retrieving it is connected to how it was encoded in the first place. Most probable the situations you mentioned involved people that lead to the learning out of the situation. There are multiple learning theories that is spread across the spectrum of passive and active learning. We will explore some of the learning theories that are concerned with active learning.

Cognitivism

Cognitivism is a learning theory that focused on mind processes. It focuses on connecting the new knowledge with prior knowledge where the mind can make connection and hence process new information. Cognitivism theory describe how our mind receive, organize, store, and recall information. Jean Piaget was one of the main contributor of cognitivism who identified the stages of cognition that all children pass through from birth to adulthood.

>>Watch this video and then, in your journal, answer these questions:

What are the stages of cognition that Piaget identified in the video?
Reflect upon your first memory you shared, what was your cognition state at that moment? what does that tell you about your reaction and decision back then?

Constructivism VS Sociocultural Theory

A diagram showing the *Zone of Proximal Development* (ZPD) and the space where the level where the *More Knowledgeable Person* (MKP) meets the learner.

Constructivism and Sociocultural are concerned with the effect of social interaction to the learnings process. Sociocultural theory focuses on the interactions between people and that the role of individuals in a learning setting influence the learning process . Constructivism acts like a bridge between cognitivism and sociocultural theory. It suggests that as individuals are not blank slates any new knowledge is build upon prior knowledge and experiences

One of the interesting models of constructivism is the zone of proximal developments (ZPD). ZPD defines the area between what a learner needs to learn and their current state. Adding to that Sociocultural theory identifies the person influencing learning happening through the ZPD area. This person is called The More Knowledgeable Person (MKP). Interestingly the MKP - in a classroom- is not necessarily the teacher or the adult, but can be another student in the same learning setting.

>>Watch this video and in your journal, answer the following questions:

Reflecting on the initial situation you shared, can you identify the ZPD that you have accomplished during the situation?
Adding to the previous question, Can you locate the MKO that helped you learn? was this person older or younger than you?

Lesson 1.2: Basics of Language Learning

How babies talk! Stages of Language Acquisition.

Source: infographic image by Sassy Media Group

Human are born with the need to communicate and interact with their surrounding. This is the first motivation of language learning that develop as the child grow within an interactive community where they practice listening and speaking. Second language acquisition stage is very similar to first language acquisition. One of the differences is that a new language acquisition might start at a later age from birth. Researchers found that there are 5 stages of new language acquisition and each stage has some achievement milestones. The following infographic elaborate the stages:

Preproduction Stage "The Silent Stage The learner can not speak and cannot use what they understand. This stage they gather vocabulary through observation, interaction and listening

What can the child do?	Duration	Teacher / Parent Prompts
• Has minimal comprehension • Does not verbalize • Nods “Yes” and “No” • Draws and points	0 – 6 meses	• Show me. . . • Circle the. . . • Where is. . . ? • Who has. . . ?

Early Production Stage Learners can use simple words and sentences frequently used through the classes. many language errors may occur as the learner focuses on using the words they know.

What can the child do?	Duration	Teacher / Parent Prompts
• Produces one- or two-word responses • Has limited comprehension • Participates using keywords and familiar phrases • Uses present-tense verbs	6m – 1 year	• Yes/no questions • Either/or questions • One- or two-word answers • Lists • Labels

Speech Emergent Stage

Learners has good comprehension and can produce simple sentences and ask questions. some errors in grammar and pronunciation are often made.

What can the child do?	Duration	Teacher / Parent Prompts
• Has good comprehension • Can produce simple sentences • Makes grammar and pronunciation errors • Frequently misunderstands jokes	1 – 3 years	• Why. . . ? • How. . . ? • Explain. . . • Phrase or short-sentence answers

Intermediate Fluency Stage

At this stage learners are ready to engage in academic learning as they have development very good comprehension skills. Learners use language with ease.

What can the child do?	Duration	Teacher / Parent Prompts
• Has excellent comprehension • Makes few grammatical errors	3-5 years	• What would happen if. . . ? • Why do you think. . . ?

Advanced Fluency State

This is a near-native level of speech as the learner masters academic language and language use becomes natural.

What can the child do?	Duration	Teacher / Parent Prompts
The student has a near-native level of speech.	5-7 years	• Decide if. . . • Retell. . .

Tables source: Classroom instruction that works with English language learners / Jane Hill and Kathleen Flynn, Source: Adapted from Krashen and Terrell (1983)

>>Looking in to your current group of learners, Which stage do you think your learners at? Go to your Journal to define your learners level.

Linguistics Basics

Alethes.net. (n.d.). What are the main branches of linguistics? Retrieved from https://alethes.net/blog/linguistics/what-are-the-main-branches-of-linguistics/.

Linguistic Basics is concerned with identifying the mechanism of language production. It usually answers the "How" question about words, sounds, and sentences formation. Scholars have different classification for it, we are going to learn about the most common classifications:

Phonetics – how do humans produce and perceive acoustic or visual signals?

Phonology – how are acoustic signals organized in spoken languages or dialects?

Morphology – how are words formed?

Syntax – how are sentences formed?

Semantics – what do linguistic expressions or signals mean?

Pragmatics – how does meaning depend on context?

Grammar Theory & Critical Period Hypothesis

Learning Theories and Language acquisition theories connect together through language learning practices. Watch this Video to identify the theory behind Language learning especially for young learners.

>>After watching the video, go to your Journal and answer the following question:

What are the 3 main theories of Language Development?

Exit ticket to Unit 2

If you are teaching a new vocabulary word in a new language for a 5 years old child.

Based on his age, what cognitive stage he is at?
what prior knowledge you can build on?
Who can be identified as MKP in his learning setting?

Write the answers in your journal and submit your answers.

After submitting your journal response, Go to Unit 2

References

Institute for Applied Neuroscience. (n.d.). The learning sciences: 10 key principles. Digital Promise. Retrieved November 19, 2023, from https://researchmap.digitalpromise.org/topics/introduction-learning-sciences/
Sprouts. (2018). Piaget's theory of cognitive development. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhcgYgx7aAA
Certainly! If you are citing the webpage in APA format, the reference would look something like this:
Study.com. (n.d.). Cognitivism in education: Learning theory. Retrieved November 19, 2023, from https://study.com/learn/lesson/cognitivism-education-learning-theory.html
Rodriguez, M. [Mary Rodriguez]. (2014). Zone of proximal development [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Du6vqSOj7UU
Packer, M. J., & Goicoechea, J. (2000). Sociocultural and constructivist theories of learning: Ontology, not just epistemology. Educational Psychologist, 35(4), 227-241. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15326985EP3504_02
"Stages of Second Language Acquisition - Raising Language Learners." Raising Language Learners, https://raisinglanguagelearners.com/stages-of-second-language-acquisition/.
Sassy Mama Hong Kong. "Raising My Bilingual Baby: Reflections From A Researcher And Father." Sassy Mama Hong Kong, 2019, www.sassymamahk.com/learn-bilingual-baby-stages-second-language-acquisition-children/.
Krashen, S. D., & Terrell, T. D. (1983). The natural approach: Language acquisition in the classroom. Hayward, Calif: Alemany Press.
Alethes.net. (n.d.). What are the main branches of linguistics? Retrieved from https://alethes.net/blog/linguistics/what-are-the-main-branches-of-linguistics/.