Foreign Languages

Language acquisition is the process by which language develops in humans. First language acquisition concerns the development of language in children, while second language acquisition focuses on language development in adults as well. Historically, theories and theorists may have emphasized either nature or nurture (see Nature versus nurture) as the most important explanatory factor for acquisition.

Most researchers however, acknowledge the importance of both biology and environment. One hotly debated issue is whether the biological contribution includes language-specific capacities, often described as Universal Grammar. For fifty years, linguist Noam Chomsky and, before his death, Eric Lenneberg, strongly argued for the hypothesis that children have innate, language-specific abilities that facilitate and constrain language learning.

Other researchers, including Elizabeth Bates, Catherine Snow, and Michael Tomasello, have hypothesized that language learning results only from general cognitive abilities and the interaction between learners and their surrounding communities. Recent work by William O'Grady proposes that complex syntactic phenomena result from an efficiency-driven, linear computational system. O'Grady describes his work as "nativism without Universal Grammar". One of the most important advances in the study of language acquisition was the creation of the CHILDES database by Brian MacWhinney and Catherine Snow. Source:
1: Visualization- An Essential Method For Teaching Modern Languages (3.00/5)

In order to make a language class successful one has to try to match its content with various methods aiming to make studying exciting and engaging. The usage of modern technological equipment ought to be taken in consideration when preparing teaching materials for a language course. Needless to say, one has to always keep in mind the following objectives when teaching a language class: 1. to develop the intellectual potential of the student 2.&nbs

2: 3 Steps Parents Can Take To Support Elementary Language Education In Their Communities (0.00/5)

by Anneke Forzani Many parents and teachers are concerned about cutbacks in funding for foreign language programs at the elementary school level. Is there anything a parent can do to support early childhood language education in their communities? Yes! I recently attended a presentation given by Janis Jensen, the NJ Coordinator of World Languages and the President of the National Network for Early Language Learning. During her talk, she made these suggestions for parents and teachers who

3: Want to Make Language Learning Easier? Rhymes to the Rescue! (0.00/5)

by Kathy Steinemann Learning a foreign language can be enjoyable - but exasperating. Anything you can do to accelerate learning or make language acquisition more enjoyable is a valuable weapon in your learning arsenal. Kathy Steinemann shares a helpful and unique approach to this challenge. Take a look at the following two sections of text: *Version 1 The sky is blue today. I'm sitting on the beach. A bully kicks sand in my face. Too bad for him! Here come my bodyguards! *Version 2

4: Home Versus Travel-based Language Learning (2.50/5)

by Michael Gabrikow When you have set your mind on learning a new language, you are in the position to choose how to start learning it. You basically have three options: starting a practical home-based language learning course (possibly an online one), starting a so-called "travel-based" learning experience that would have you travel to a country speaking the language you intend to learn for at least a couple of weeks, or a combination of the two. We will try to dissect these two

5: Spanish Language Teaching Methods (3.00/5)

By: Steven Muller Most people would agree on the absolute necessity of learning a foreign language in today’s society. But what is the most adequate, most effective way to do it? Here things get a little bit more complicated. Different answers to this question have guided the various methods employed in the language classrooms throughout the years.If you grew up during the 70s or 80s you’ve probably been studying a second language at least since you were in high school. Studying is the key

6: Reference Information to Ease Your Chinese Character Study (0.00/5)

Chinese characters seem the most difficult part for foreign friends to learn the Chinese language. In my opinion, the main reason for that may be Chinese characters look very different from their quarter parts in the Roman languages: each character represents not only the pronunciation, but a certain meaning. Many a complaint comes from that Chinese characters are so unlike each other that you have to learn them one by one, and there are so many to memory, and that when encountering a new cha

7: Language Learning For Children (1.00/5)

By Frank Middleton Historically, languages are not well taught. We can see this is true because most adults who have had to study a language or languages when younger have no real competence in them as an adult. Maybe as a result of these early experiences, many people never learn another word in a foreign language no matter how frequently and widely they travel . It would be unfair to place the blame on the educational system, but an interest in language learning and the non English speaki

8: How To Get Your Kids To Speak Your Language (Not Rated)

By Frank Gerace Note: This experience had to do with preserving Spanish for our kids but the principles are valid for anyone trying to help their kids speak and preserve any language and culture. COUNTRY OF MANY PEOPLES This country,,, (The authors raised their kids in the United States but they believe that their experience can be useful for people in other non-spanish-speaking countries.) This country is made up of people from all over the world. We or our parents came from Latin countrie

9: Kids Can Learn Spanish (Not Rated)

By Frank Gerace Spanish for Kids, Spanish for Children, Teach Kids Spanish Kids Can Learn Spanish! Spanish for Children I just got a call from my two year old granddaughter. She wanted to sing "Los Pollitos" to me. You can find this children's classic in most of the collections of songs that we are recommending. It is perfect for hand gestures. These gestures are ideal for language learning because they imprint the sense of the words as the child recites. The text is: (translation

10: Learning Styles And Their Effect On Language Learning (2.00/5)

By Frank Gerace Note: This article makes special reference to the effect of learning syles in the learning of Spanish but the principles are valid for all language learning. ¡LEER ES PODER! ¡Learning Spanish! How can you best learn Spanish? It depends on your particular approach to learning. Take a look at the following approaches to learning Spanish. But if you already know where you are, you can skip the following reflections and go back to see what is available for your level