Second Language Acquisition and Teaching Methods Flashcards

According to Stephen Krashen's Input Hypothesis, language acquisition occurs best when learners are exposed to input that is:

Answer: Slightly above their current proficiency level (i+1)

Krashen's Input Hypothesis states that acquisition occurs when learners receive comprehensible input just beyond their current competence, denoted as i+1.

Which term refers to the evolving linguistic system a second language learner constructs at any given point during the acquisition process?

Answer: Interlanguage

Interlanguage describes the transitional, learner-specific linguistic system that evolves as learners move toward target language proficiency.

The 'Silent Period' in second language acquisition refers to a phase in which learners:

Answer: Absorb input and build comprehension before producing output

The Silent Period is a natural early phase during which learners take in language input and build comprehension before they begin producing language themselves.

Krashen's Affective Filter Hypothesis proposes that language acquisition can be blocked by:

Answer: High anxiety, low motivation, or low self-confidence

The Affective Filter Hypothesis holds that negative emotional states such as anxiety, low motivation, or low self-esteem create a mental barrier that impedes language acquisition.

Which language teaching approach prioritizes meaningful real-world communication over grammar drills and memorization?

Answer: Communicative Language Teaching (CLT)

Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) emphasizes authentic, meaningful communication and real-world language use as the primary goal of instruction.

What is 'code-switching' as observed in bilingual or multilingual speakers?

Answer: Alternating between two or more languages within a conversation or sentence

Code-switching is the practice of alternating between two or more languages within a single conversation or sentence, common among proficient bilinguals.

A French speaker uses the English word 'sensible' to mean 'sensitive' because the French word 'sensible' has that meaning. This is an example of:

Answer: Negative transfer (interference)

Negative transfer (interference) occurs when a learner incorrectly applies L1 patterns to L2; here, the false cognate 'sensible' causes an error because its meaning differs between French and English.