Language Learning
In this final Critical Thinking Assignment I am asking you to reflect upon your own language learning. Using key ideas we have seen in the textbook, as well as getting information from the articles posted below, describe your own personal experience with learning the language you chose to study to the 4th level. Your essay should discuss the following points: 1 – The learning.acquisition distinction and how it applies to YOU. Are you learning, acquiring, or do you find that both processes are at play? 2 – Factors that influence learning / acquisition age, affective factors, personality traits, motivation, learning style, the effect of teaching methods) as they apply to YOU. Which factors affect you the most? 3 – The kinds of errors you make: What is their source (e.g. L1 interference, transfer from other language(s), overgeneralization? none of the above?) When do you make errors the most / the least? How do you feel about being corrected? Do you think it’s necessary / effective/ ineffective? Why? 3 – Your personal challenges as well as strategies you have found helpful in your learning. Keeping a diary with detailed notes about your language learning experience for a few days will help you provide concrete examples like the ones in the article “Learning Spanish as an Older Adult” by Schulz and Elliott. SOURCES TO BE USED AND CITED: 1. (Our textbook): Yule, George. The Study of Language. 2 Schulz, Renate A., and Phillip Elliott. “Learning Spanish as an Older Adult”. https://dc153.dawsoncollege.qc.ca:2182/stable/pdf/346149.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3Abd3d60dee27ae83c64395d0086c2b317 ( available through the Dawson Library – log in in order to download). 3. Trafton, Anne. “Cognitive scientists define critical period for learning language.” https://news.mit.edu/2018/cognitive-scientists-define-critical-period-learning-language-0501 Note that the above listings do not contain all necessary bibliographical information, nor are they in alphabetical order! Consult an MLA Guide for details on correct citation formatting. Important: Review the assignment guidelines in the document below!
