FACTORS
AFFECTING SECOND
LANGUAGE
Background:
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:INTELLIGENCE
one or more capacities of the mind. In different contexts this can be defined in different ways, including the capacities for abstract thought, understanding, communication, reasoning, learning, planning, emotional intelligence and problem solving.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligence
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:INTELLIGENCE
Over the years:
Variety of intelligence test (‘IQ’) tests IQ scores= good means of predicting
+ how successful
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS: INTELLIGENCE
Findings:
Such tests are strongly related to certain kinds of second language abilities
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
LANGUAGE LEARNERS:APTITUDE
specific ability a learner has for learning a second language (Ellis, 1985).
The main feature of Attitude: Learning
quickly
Test to predict whether individuals will be
an efficient learners of a foreign language in a classroom setting:
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
LANGUAGE LEARNERS:APTITUDE
Types of abilities in Aptitude based on the Aptitude Tests:
1. The ability to identify and memorize new sounds.
2. The ability to understand the function of particular words in sentences.
3. The ability to figure out grammatical rules from language samples.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
LANGUAGE LEARNERS:APTITUDE
Findings:
a substantial relationship between
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
LANGUAGE LEARNERS:APTITUDE
Other findings:Aptitude is irrelevant to the process of language acquisition.
- Successful Language learners may not be strong in all of the components of
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:APTITUDE
Good point of knowing aptitude:
to determine learners’ strength and
weakness.
To place learners in appropriate teaching
program.
To select appropriate classroom activities
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
LANGUAGE LEARNERS:PERSONALITY
A number of personality characteristics affect second language learning.
But..
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF
LANGUAGE LEARNERS:PERSONALITY
Example:An extroverted learner is argued to be well suited to language learning.
Some studies revealed that success in
language learning is correlated with scores on the characteristics of extroversion such as assertiveness and adventurousness.
Some studies revealed successful language
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:PERSONALITY
Research findings on personality and language learning.
- personality variables may be a major factor only in the acquisition of
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:MOTIVATION
Motivation and Attitude
Motivation: latin: movere (to move)
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:MOTIVATION
Motivation comes up from 3 levels:
Global: overall orientation of the learner towards the learning of foreign language. Situational: has something to do with the context of learning (classroom, total
environment)
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:MOTIVATION
Motivation (Robert Gardner and Walace Lambert, 1972) :
Integrative motivation: language learning for personal growth and cultural
enrichment.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:MOTIVATION
Attitude: mental and neutral state
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:MOTIVATION
Motivation in second language learning + a complex phenomenon which may be
defined in terms of 2 factors: 1. Communicative needs
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:MOTIVATION
Research finding:
positive attitudes and motivation are related to success in second language learning (Gardner, 1985).
Weakness: the research can not indicate how motivation is related to learning:
- Are learners more highly motivated
because they are successful or are they successful because they are highly
MOTIVATION IN THE CLASSROOM
Motivated students:
Participate actively, express interest in the subject matter, and study a great deal.
Positive contribution that a teacher can
makes to motivate students to learn: creating an enjoyable classroom, the
content is interesting, relevant to their age and level of ability; the learning goal is
challenging, manageable and clear. The atmosphere is supportive and
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:MOTIVATION
Some other ideas in pedagogical practices
to enhance students’ motivation:
Motivating students into the lesson
Varying the activities, tasks, and
materials
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:LEARNER PREFERENCE
A learner has preference for how they go about learning new material.
Learning style: individual’s natural,
QUESTIONS
Which skill(s) and aspects do you think
the most essential for learning English? (listening, speaking, reading, speaking, grammar, writing, and vocabulary)
Is it important to speak a native-like
English?
Do you think that successful English
learning depends on the native speaker of English?
QUESTIONS
Is it okay to guess if we don't know a word
in English?
Is it important to repeat and practice a
lot?
If beginning students are allowed to make
mistakes in English it will be difficult for them to speak correctly later on.
QUESTIONS
Do you think that the teacher have to take all of the responsibilities such as to
determine learning goals, make decisions about materials, decide how to learn,
monitor and evaluate his/her learning progress?
QUESTIONS
Which skill(s) and aspects do you think the most
essential for learning English? (listening,
speaking, reading, speaking, grammar, writing, and vocabulary)
Grammar and Speaking
Is it important to speak a native-like English?
Not necessary
Do you think that successful English learning
happen in an English-speaking country?
Not necessary
QUESTIONS
Is it okay to guess if we don't know a word in
English?
It’s okay
Is it important to repeat and practice a lot?
Yes, of course
If beginning students are allowed to make
mistakes in English it will be difficult for them to speak correctly later on.
It depends
QUESTIONS
Do you think that the teacher have to take all of the responsibilities such as to
determine learning goals, make decisions about materials, decide how to learn,
monitor and evaluate his/her learning progress?
Not all
What are some important characteristics that a teacher should have?
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:LEARNER BELIEFS
Belief system in general is the information, attitudes, values, expectations, theories, and assumptions about teaching and
learning that teachers build up over time and bring with them to the classroom
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:LEARNER BELIEFS
sources of students’ beliefs:
from their experiences as language learners
(Gaoyin & Alvermann 1995).
from their family/home background (Dias
2001) from their cultural background (Alexander & Dochy 1995).
From individual differences such as
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:LEARNER BELIEFS
a
. Students’ beliefs about English.b. Students’ beliefs about teaching (teachers)
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE LEARNERS:LEARNER BELIEFS
