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This course provides educators with a foundational understanding of how language is learned, with a focus on the theories, research, and historical perspectives that have shaped language acquisition and instruction. Participants will explore key concepts in first and second language development, examine major theoretical frameworks, and develop a deeper understanding of the linguistic, cognitive, and social factors that influence how students acquire language.
Rather than focusing on instructional strategies, this course builds the conceptual knowledge educators need to interpret student language development, understand diverse learner needs, and make informed instructional decisions. Grounded in research and theory, this course supports educators in developing a strong foundation for working with multilingual learners across educational settings.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain the difference between first language acquisition and second language learning
- Describe major theories of language acquisition, including behaviorist, nativist, interactionist, and sociocultural perspectives
- Analyze the contributions of key researchers (e.g., Krashen, Cummins, Vygotsky, Chomsky) to the field of language learning
- Define and distinguish between key concepts such as BICS and CALP, input vs. output, and acquisition vs. learning
- Examine the role of comprehensible input in language development
- Understand the concept of the affective filter and its impact on language acquisition
- Explain stages of second language development and what they indicate about learner progress
- Describe the relationship between language, cognition, and academic development
- Analyze how culture and identity influence language learning
- Understand the role of social interaction and environment in language acquisition
- Explain how multilingualism impacts brain development and learning
- Interpret common misconceptions about language learners and language acquisition
- Examine historical shifts in language learning theory and their impact on education
- Develop a conceptual framework for understanding how students acquire academic language
This course provides educators with a foundational understanding of how language is learned, with a focus on the theories, research, and historical perspectives that have shaped language acquisition and instruction. Participants will explore key concepts in first and second language development, examine major theoretical frameworks, and develop a deeper understanding of the linguistic, cognitive, and social factors that influence how students acquire language.
Rather than focusing on instructional strategies, this course builds the conceptual knowledge educators need to interpret student language development, understand diverse learner needs, and make informed instructional decisions. Grounded in research and theory, this course supports educators in developing a strong foundation for working with multilingual learners across educational settings.
Lesson Objectives:
- Explain the difference between first language acquisition and second language learning
- Describe major theories of language acquisition, including behaviorist, nativist, interactionist, and sociocultural perspectives
- Analyze the contributions of key researchers (e.g., Krashen, Cummins, Vygotsky, Chomsky) to the field of language learning
- Define and distinguish between key concepts such as BICS and CALP, input vs. output, and acquisition vs. learning
- Examine the role of comprehensible input in language development
- Understand the concept of the affective filter and its impact on language acquisition
- Explain stages of second language development and what they indicate about learner progress
- Describe the relationship between language, cognition, and academic development
- Analyze how culture and identity influence language learning
- Understand the role of social interaction and environment in language acquisition
- Explain how multilingualism impacts brain development and learning
- Interpret common misconceptions about language learners and language acquisition
- Examine historical shifts in language learning theory and their impact on education
- Develop a conceptual framework for understanding how students acquire academic language