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Pre-1945
Army Language Method is introduced. (1939-1959)
Many Americans were monolingual due to Xenophobia after WWI. At the onset of WWII, this was a massive set back. The Army created a method for intensive exposure to languages for adults. -
BF Skinner -1940's-1950's
Behaviorist Approach to Language Learning.
Language acquisition is a learned behavior through classical conditioning. -
N. Chomsky - 1960's
Language Acquisition Device (LAD) -
Cognitive Theorists believe we use thought processes to acquire langauge. -
Dell Hymes - 1972 Communicative Competence
A term describing the role of context and social factors involved in interpretation language. Set a precedence for other researchers to identify various types of competence in language learning -
Larry Selinker - 1974 - Interlanguage Theory
Theory used to describe the language of the learner as they are learning and it continually evolves -
Canale and Swain - 1980
Designed a model for Communicative Competence identifying 4 components: grammatical, sociolinguistic, strategic, and discourse competence. -
Stephen Krashen - 1982 - Input Hypothesis
Based on some of the views of Chomsky, Krashen created his own Monitor Model with 5 subcategories: acquisition- learning hypothesis, monitor hypothesis, natural-order hypothesis, input hypothesis, and affective-filter hypothesis. -
Michael Long - 1983 - Interaction Hypothesis
Long believed that people get input from various sources and process it in three ways: simplifying info, linguistic and extra-linguistic features, and modifying the structure of conversation. -
Universal Grammar
Chomsky and Ellis continue with the idea that the LAD contains abstract principles of language that are the same or universal in all languages -
Merrill Swain - 1985/1995 - Output Hypothesis
Input is necessary but not the sole condition for language development. The learner must also have opportunity for output. Learners need to speak. -
Sociocultural Theory - 1990's
Theory based largely on the work of Vygotzky who developed the theories about the Zone of Proximal Development: competence and performance are one system.
