Noam Chomsky and Stephen Krashen were both influential linguists who studied language acquisition. Chomsky proposed the existence of a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) in the brain that allows children to innately and unconsciously acquire language. Krashen put forth five hypotheses of second language acquisition: the acquisition-learning distinction, the monitor hypothesis, the natural order hypothesis, the input hypothesis, and the affective filter hypothesis. Both researchers rejected the idea that children are blank slates and believed that language acquisition is influenced by internal, innate constraints.
2. { Noam Chomsky
{ Stephen Krashen
Professor Emeritus Professor Emeritus
MIT USC
“Father of Modern
350 Books and
Linguistics” Papers Published
since 1974
Universal Grammar
5 Theories of Second
Theory Language Acquisition
3. “All Children share the
same internal constraints
In his 1972 book Language which characterize
and the Mind Chomsky
states that language is
innate
{ narrowly the grammar
they are going to
construct”
-Language and
Responsibility, 1977 p.98
Noam Chomsky
4. The LAD is a
postulated organ in the
brain that was
suggested to perform
as a congenital device
for language
acquisition. This theory
stood as the antithesis
to B.F. Skinners
theories of Classic and
Operant Conditioning.
Language
Acquisition Device
5. Chomsky rejects the idea that children are born
as “tabula rosa” or blank slates. Generative
Grammar reveals the explicit and implicit
knowledge of the speaker. Linguistics does not
include the study of meaning and reference.
6. For 40 years Chomsky
This change of direction
Defended the LAD he may come from problems
currently favors a parameter with the Universal
setting model of language
acquisition called “principles
and parameters”
{ Grammar Theory mainly
L2 learners will say things
that don’t fit there L1 or L2
and different motivations
to learn an L2
-The Minimalist Program 1995
7. Krashen’s 5 Hypotheses to Language
Acquisition:
1. Acquisition Learning
2. Monitor
3. Natural Order
4.Input
5. Affective filter
From: Principles and
Practice in Second
Language Acquisition
1987
8. { The Krux of Krashen
{
Two Systems of language performance acquired
and learned.
1. Acquired- Subconscious like how a child learns
there L1.
2. Learned- Knowledge gained from formal
instruction, grammar of the L2 is picked up this
way.
Acquisition Learning
Hypothesis
9. This is the relationship between acquired and learned language.
It is a correcting function that should be used sparingly “to give
speech a more polished appearance”
what do you mean “more polished”?
Monitor Hypothesis
10. Based on the findings of Dulay , Burt, Fatham, and Makino during the
1970’s Krashen concluded that independent of age, L1, and
conditions of exposure L2 learners will learn grammatical structures in
a predictable order almost 100% of the time. However, Krashen
rejects grammatical sequencing in instruction.
Natural Order
Hypothesis
11. This only deals with acquisition of L2 not
learning. A learner improves when they receive
input one step beyond their current competency.
Input Hypothesis
(i+1)
12. Motivation, self
confidence and
anxiety play a major
roll in L2 learning.
{ Learners with high
motivation and self-
confidence, with a
good self image, a
little anxiety best
equipped for L2
learning.
Affective Filter
Hypothesis
13. { Noam Chomsky
{ Stephen Krashen
Humans have the Acquistion learning,
ability to learn any monitor, input,
language at birth. natural order, and
Speech is innate we affective filter are
are not blank slates the 5 pillars of
Krashen’s theory.
In closing ;-)
