According to the notes, what is a fundamental aspect of language learning?
AMemorizing grammar rules
BThe formation of a set of habits
CTranslating from the mother tongue
DUnderstanding complex linguistic theories
Answer:
B. The formation of a set of habits
Read Explanation:
Language Acquisition: A Habit-Formation Perspective
- Behaviorism and Language: The idea that language learning is primarily about the formation of a set of habits is a cornerstone of behaviorist theories of language acquisition.
- B.F. Skinner's Contribution: Behaviorist psychologists like B.F. Skinner emphasized that language is learned through operant conditioning. This involves imitation, reinforcement, and repetition.
- Habit Formation Process:
- Imitation: Learners imitate the sounds, words, and sentence structures they hear.
- Reinforcement: Correct utterances are positively reinforced (e.g., praised, rewarded), making the learner more likely to repeat them.
- Practice: Repeated practice strengthens these correct responses, turning them into ingrained habits.
- Implications for Teaching:
- This perspective suggests that language teaching methods should focus on providing ample opportunities for practice and drilling.
- Error correction is crucial to prevent the formation of incorrect habits (fossilization of errors).
- Contrast with other theories: While influential, the habit-formation view has been challenged by other linguistic theories, such as Noam Chomsky's nativist perspective, which posits an innate language acquisition device. However, the habit-formation aspect remains relevant in understanding the procedural aspects of language use, such as pronunciation and grammatical patterns.