Explaining Second Language Learning

The linguist Stephen Krashen (University of Southern California) differs in his theory two processes that happen when we “learn” a second language: Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning. Acquisition is the subconscious process that children already undergo when they acquire their first language. By contrast, Second Language Learning is the conscious process of learning, for example grammar rules. It leads to a conscious knowledge of the learned system.

Stephen Krashen’s Monitor Model

The Monitor model plays a key role in Second Language Learning. It is influenced by Noam Chomsky's theory of first language acquisition. It was first described when the dissatisfaction with the language teaching methods was starting to grow during the 1970s. The main idea of this model considers learning as the conscious attention to form and rule learning. The Monitor model is based on Stephen Krashen's Monitor theory. The only functions of learning, so Krashen, are Monitoring or editing. The second language user/learner should only use his learned, thus conscious, knowledge in order to make the necessary changes of his utterances - before or after he speaks. According to Krashen formal rules and therefore conscious learning, as well, only play a limited role in second language performance.

Second language performers can only apply their conscious rules when three conditions are given.

Time: In order to apply the formal rules sufficient time is needed. During a normal conversation there is usually not enough time to thoroughly think about which is the right grammar rule to apply. An over-use of Monitoring can even lead to trouble in the conversation. If the performer tries too hard to Monitor his utterances while speaking, his talking style might become too hesitant and thus disturb the flow of communication. Another risk when over-using the Monitor could be that the performer loses track of what his dialog partner is saying, because his attention is increasingly drawn to the Monitoring.

Focus on Form: In order to use the Monitor effectively the second language performer has to be willing to focus on the form and correctness of his utterances to a certain extend.

Knowing the Rule: The second language performer has to know the rule, meaning that he has to have learned the rule some time in his life. Conscious Monitor means that the performer can apply certain grammatical items that he has not yet acquired. These items are often simple grammatical rules such as, in the case of English being the second language, the third person "s". It is an easy rule usually taught at the beginning of the education that might not have been acquired yet. The performer has not consciously realized the use of the third person "s" for example while listening to English dialogs.

These three conditions are necessary, but not sufficient to the application of learned knowledge. In other words, one may not fully utilize the whole range of his conscious grammar even with all three conditions given.

The three basic types of Monitor users

Monitor over-user: This type of user constantly tries to Monitor all of his utterances. According to Krashen there are two main reasons to explain this behavior. The first reason can be traced back to the performer's history of exposure to the second language. For example, if all the grammar he knows was taught by instructions, the performer isn't used to any other way of handling his second language and therefore has no choice but to use the Monitor at all times. The second reason to cause this behavior is linked to the performer's personality. It depends on "what kind of person you are". In some cases performers have already acquired some aspects of the second language. But they do not fully trust their acquired knowledge, do not want to risk making errors and therefore are using the Monitor "just to check".

Monitor under-user: This user, in contrast to the first one, almost never applies the Monitor. This may have two different causes. One cause may be that the performer has simply not learned how to Monitor yet. He lacks the knowledge of grammatical rules to apply as a Monitor. The other cause is, just as in type 1, connected to the personality. There are people that simply do not want to use their conscious knowledge, because to them it suffices, if they correct themselves only by "feel". As a complete contrast to the over-user the Monitor under-user only relies on his acquired system. His explanation would probably be "it just sounds/feels right".

Optimal Monitor user: This user is a second language performer that only Monitors when appropriate. He does not let the Monitoring interfere with communication and knows when to set back the Monitoring, for example during conversations, so that a fluent dialog can develop. He Monitors when writing and for planned speeches, since the three conditions (see above) are usually given with these occasions. Monitoring is only considered as a supplement to the acquired knowledge. Washington Birth Trauma Lawyers l Medical Malpractice Attorneys l merchant account canada l Merchant Services l Teach Abroad ! Air Conditioning School ! GHS ! Alarm Systems ! Language Translation Services ! HR Solutions India ! Cigarette Electronique ! leadership development ! Home courses ! affordable seo ! Home Education ! School Improvement ! Open Learning ! Dallas Termite Control ! Seo Services ! Sprachreise Sydney ! Masters in Public Policy ! Career Advice ! Study Spanish Salamanca