LANGUAGE ACQUISITION – 201

WEEK 4

What I learnt was some key words for behaviorism, cognitivism and
constructivism.These are observable data, the difference between
classical and operant conditioning, habit formation, repetition,stimulus and
response for behaviorism.For cognitivism I have learnt the contributions of
Chomsky, LAD, competence/performance and how we take information,
process it and act upon it, working memory and long-term memory, the
advantages of knowing multiple intelligences as a teacher.For
constructivism, I have met Piaget and Vygotsky ( I think they are very
important for us ) and the differences between them ; Piaget is a
cognitive constructivist but Vygotsky is a social-constructivist. Piaget
emphasized the biological stages, however, Vygotsky emphasized the
social interaction.

What I had difficulty in figuring out was the details of these approaches. I
think I may have some difficulty in exam.

I suppose I need to focus more on the implications of these approaches for

us.

I believe I am going to use the knowledge of these approaches in my

teaching.I will try to choose activities according to kinds of my students’
intelligences and I will let them learn from their errors.I am going to take
into consideration their stages when I give them tasks.