Page 16. Watch the Lecture. Part D. LISTEN FOR DETAILS

Unit two

page 16

watch the lecture

part D: listen for details

now let me ask, how many of you have studied a new language, not the language you grew up speaking?

okay well today we are going to look at second language acquisition, that is learning a second language and one question that linguists like myself have tried to answer for many years is why is it considerably easier for kids to learn a second language than adults.

Now we’re going to look at a few different theories about this.

First we look at a theory that says there’s a critical period or phase or ideal time in life, for language learning.

Then we’ll talk about other factors such as the learning environment, attitude and motivation.

Now; from the short hands I see that many of you had your own personal experience with language learning and I have recently too started studying Mandarin Chinese last year.

And, so I’ve been going to class, listening to language CDs and I’m learning but it’s tough! it’s tough to learn a new language.

and then today, I went into my son’s class; he is grade now, and one of my sons friends Zu Way, he goes by Steven now, he just move here last fall from China.

Now when we first came into the class he didn’t speak a word of English; I mean not one word.

but now he’s talking away in English, not always perfectly, but very easily, very fluent and I’m like wow this is so unfair!

we’ve both been studying a new language for the same amount of time but he’s learning it so much more quickly!

this is in fact something that linguists are very interested in; understanding this difference between how kids and adults learn a new language.

Now, one explanation is that there is a critical period for language learning.

And this theory was first introduced in the 1960s by a linguist named Eric Lundberg and Lundberg’s theory says that during childhood, language learning is very easy.

basically our brains are just ready for language learning, but later starting in adolescence and as we get older, our brains change; we lose this childhood ability.

And it becomes more difficult to learn language.

that’s why adults have trouble learning a new language.

Well, if you’re an adult that’s a bit discouraging, right?

you can look at my son’s friend Steven who is six years old and me whose 29+ and say well okay Steven is still in the critical phase, his brain works perfectly right now for language learning but you are way past the critical phase in your brains already changed; so, too bad, I’m sorry.

But wait a minute, is this comparison between me and Steven really fair?

I mean there’s an age difference but there a lot of other differences as well; can we really say that my lack of progress learning Chinese is only because I’ve passed the critical phase?

No.

many people including linguist Robert the Kaiser, would say no, you have to look at other factors.

now one obvious factor in second language acquisition is environment.

the place where the person is learning.

So, Steven is here in an all English environment where he speaking English all day at school.

And all of his friends speak English.

Me on the other hand, I’m just taking a class, 2 hours a week.

So, sure, I listen to my Chinese CDs in my car on the way to work, but other than that I’m not in an environment where I hear a lot of Chinese.

I wonder, what if it were the other way around? what if I went to China? And was in school all day hearing Chinese?

and Steven was studying English only two hours a week.

do you think that would change how well we are each learning language?

Yeah, I’m sure with.

the environment plays a significant role in language acquisition.

another factor in second language acquisition is a person’s attitude about learning the new language; how do you feel about learning.

Now when I was watching Steven in the classroom playing with his friends, it was clear he didn’t feel at all embarrassed about his English language abilities. Yeah he can’t speak perfectly yet, but when he made a mistake, he didn’t care!

Neither his friends; they just kept on playing.

me on the other hand, I find it very difficult to speak Chinese when I’m not sure what I’m saying I get very nervous and embarrassed; and as a result, I don’t practice speaking as much as I should.

clearly a person’s attitude about learning is very important in acquiring a second language.

finally the last act will look at is, motivation.

The “why” is the person learning the language.

Now Steven is probably very motivated to learn English; all his friends speak it, so he needs to learn it in order to play with them.

I on the other hand, want to learn Chinese, but I don’t need to.

so we are both motivated to learn but perhaps my motivation isn’t quite as strong.

Alright, so what we understand about second-language acquisition?

there does seem to be a critical period in childhood? when language learning is much easier, but it’s important to look at all the factors and there are several; including environment, attitude and motivation.

which helps side of some is going to be successful language learner.

as for me, I’m not ready to give up on Chinese just yet.