Search results for "Language acquisition"

The play and language behavior of mothers with and without dyslexia and its association to their toddlers' language development.

2004

The play and language behavior of mothers with ( n = 49) and without ( n = 49) specific reading disabilities (RD) was investigated during play with their 14-month-old children. The contribution of maternal behavior to the language development of their children was examined. The children's receptive and expressive language skills were assessed longitudinally at 14, 18, and 30 months, using the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventories and the Reynell Developmental Language Scales. Children with and without familial risk for RD did not differ from each other in any play or language measures at these ages. No group differences were found for mothers' manifestations of nonsymbolic play a…

Enjoyment in the Foreign Language Classroom: Does Gender Matter? A Review of Selected Empirical Studies

2021

The present contribution offers an overview of a new research avenue in the field of second language acquisition (SLA) which began to flourish with the advent of Positive Psychology (PP). The study presents the findings of selected empirical studies on foreign language enjoyment (FLE) conducted in various countries, among foreign language (FL) learners at different ages, and at different proficiency levels. As there is a relatively small body of literature that directly concerns gender differences in FLE, the main aim of the present study is to fill the existing research gap in the field. One of the most significant findings to emerge from this study is that the relationship between FLE and…

The Role of Social and Collaborative Networks in the Development of in-House Multimedia Language Learning Materials

2012

The development of in-house language learning materials has being going on for many decades. In the past, it was difficult for language teachers worldwide to share their in-house materials with other teachers, and so was having access to the materials developed by others. This often produced a feeling of isolation and, very frequently, provoked a duplication of efforts and a bigger investment of time. However, thanks to the Web 2.0 teachers and practitioners worldwide can communicate with each other and share experiences and materials. While this aspect of the so-called Social Web has being successfully exploded in the past few decades, especially in the case of online communities of teache…

Izcilu studentu angļu valodas kā svešvalodu apguves daudzveidība

2021

Maģistra darba izvēlētā tēma ir aktuāla un nozīmīga, jo eksistē daudz un dažādas pieejas(problēmas) angļu valodas kā otrās valodas apguvē, bet tai pat reizē nav tādu kopēju vadlīniju , kas palīdzētu mūsdienu skolotājam risināt šīs problēmas. Šī darba mērķis bija analizēt un interpretēt angļu valodas apguves veidus, ko izmanto skolēni,kas sasnieguši labus rezultātus angļu valodas kā otrās valodas apguvē, kā arī lai noskaidrotu virzienus izvērstiem pētījumiem par efektīvas apguves rādītājiem. Darbā autors apkopojis un analizējis dažādās pieejas angļu valodas kā otrās valodas apguvē,sniedz pātnieciski pamatotus ieteikumus-vadlīnijas kā analizēt mācīšanas un mācīšanās procesus,veicis praktisku …

Vocabulary Learning Strategies

2015

Positive Predictive Value of Extraversion in Diagnosing L2 WTC

2021

Willingness to communicate in a foreign/second language (L2 WTC) is now considered an influential variable underlying the second and foreign language learning processes. It is also perceived in terms of a fundamental goal of second language education, because its higher levels result in a greater desire to practise oral communication, bringing about successful language learning. According to the pyramid model of L2 WTC, it is rooted in personality which produces both distal and enduring influences on a student’s verbal behaviour. It can thus be expected that extraversion, a personality dimension identified with energy and enthusiasm and characterised by sensitivity to reward and sociability…

GAME AS FACILITATOR IN DEVELOPMENT OF PHONOLOGICAL PERCEPTION FOR PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

2016

Language is the highest form of communication, it’s given only to people and it is very important for children’s psychological development. In 5 – 6 years most of the children all native language’s sounds pronounce correctly, phonological perception is formed, however, not all children have reached an appropriate level of development, therefore compulsory preparatory school program of language acquisition in children creates an aversion to learning. Disorders of fonological perception are very complicated and require a lot of serious and patient work in the intervention. In 5 – 6 years of age, children are active, open, spontaneous, curious and very persistent. At this age closest activitie…

Atypical perceptual narrowing in prematurely born infants is associated with compromised language acquisition at 2 years of age

2010

Abstract Background Early auditory experiences are a prerequisite for speech and language acquisition. In healthy children, phoneme discrimination abilities improve for native and degrade for unfamiliar, socially irrelevant phoneme contrasts between 6 and 12 months of age as the brain tunes itself to, and specializes in the native spoken language. This process is known as perceptual narrowing, and has been found to predict normal native language acquisition. Prematurely born infants are known to be at an elevated risk for later language problems, but it remains unclear whether these problems relate to early perceptual narrowing. To address this question, we investigated early neurophysiolog…

Correlates and Predictors of L2 Willingness to Communicate in Polish Adolescents

2014

The concept of willingness to communicate (WTC) in L2 denotes “a readiness to enter into discourse at a particular time with a specific person or persons, using a L2” (MacIntyre et al. 1998, p. 547). In the early model of L2 WTC, there are two main variables influencing its levels: perceived communication competence and communication anxiety (MacIntyre 1994). WTC is now considered a fundamental goal of second language education (MacIntyre et al. 2003) because it offers L2 learners “greater chances for L2 practice and authentic L2 usage” (MacIntyre et al. 2001, p. 382). Students taking the risk of initiating communication in a language they do not know well are likely to become more proficie…

Designing and Evaluating Online Language Learning Materials for Higher Education

2011

Nowadays, finding, choosing and developing or adapting materials is a very important component of education as well as a key element for the success of the whole learning process. A language teacher is also a materials developer and the materials development process should aim at ensuring that local needs and wants do not dictate decisions and that important learning principles are not forgotten. In the case of materials for Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), a very thorough and pedagogically-sound set of guidelines should be followed prior to the design of the materials. Following that, a careful evaluation should take place so as to guarantee that those guidelines have been follo…