02.+Language+Adquisition+Theories

We call "language acquisition" to the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language, as well as to produce and use words to communicate. The capacity to successfully use language requires one to pick up a range of tools including syntax, phonetics, and vocabulary. This language might be vocalized as with speech or manual as in sign. There are lots of theories, but we are going to focus in construtivism, so the main theories are **Vygostky's theory** and **Gardner's theory**. **__Vygotsky's theory:__** Vygotsky's most important contribution concerns the inter-relationship of language development and thought. This concept establishes the explicit and profound connection between speech (both silent inner speech and oral language), and the development of mental concepts and cognitive awareness.

 Language starts as a tool external to the child used for social interaction. The child guides personal behavior by using this tool in a kind of self-talk or "thinking out loud." Initially, self-talk is very much a tool of social interaction and it tapers to negligible levels when the child is alone or with deaf children. Gradually self-talk is used more as a tool for self-directed and self-regulating behavior. Then, because speaking has been appropriated and internalized, self-talk is no longer present around the time the child starts school. Self-talk "develops along a rising not a declining, curve; it goes through an evolution, not an involution. In the end, it becomes inner speech" (Vygotsky, 1987, pg 57). Inner speech develops through its differentiation from social speech.

 Speaking has thus developed along two lines, the line of social communication and the line of inner speech, by which the child mediates and regulates their activity through their thoughts which in turn are mediated by the semiotics (the meaningful signs) of inner speech. This is not to say that thinking cannot take place without language, but rather that it is mediated by it and thus develops to a much higher level of sophistication. Just as the birthday cake as a sign provides much deeper meaning than its physical properties allow, inner speech as signs provides much deeper meaning than the lower psychological functions would otherwise allow. A very important concept of Vygotsky’s theory is the ZDP or **Zone of Proximal Development **,which is the term for the range of tasks that a child can complete independently and those completed with the guidance and assistance of adults or more-skilled children.  The theory of multiple intelligences was proposed a model of intelligence that differentiates intelligence into various specific modalities, rather than seeing it as dominated by a single general ability.
 * __Gardner's theory:__ **

This area has to do with logic, abstractions, reasoning and numbers. While it is often assumed that those with this intelligence naturally excel in mathematics, chess, computer programming and other logical or numerical activities, a more accurate definition places less emphasis on traditional mathematical ability and more on reasoning capabilities, recognizing abstract patterns, scientific thinking and investigation and the ability to perform complex calculations. Logical reasoning is closely linked to fluid intelligence and to general ability. This area deals with spatial judgement and the ability to visualize with the mind's eye. Careers which suit those with this type of intelligence include artists, designers and architects. A spatial person is also good with puzzles. Spatial ability is one of the three factors beneath // g // in the hierarchical model of intelligence. This area has to do with words, spoken or written. People with high verbal-linguistic intelligence display a facility with words and languages. They are typically good at reading, writing, telling stories and memorizing words along with dates. They tend to learn best by reading, taking notes, listening to lectures, and by discussing and debating about what they have learned. Those with verbal-linguistic intelligence learn foreign languages very easily as they have high verbal memory and recall, and an ability to understand and manipulate syntax and structure. Verbal ability is one of the most // g //-loaded abilities. The core elements of the bodily-kinesthetic intelligence are control of one's bodily motions and the capacity to handle objects skilfully. Gardner elaborates to say that this intelligence also includes a sense of timing, a clear sense of the goal of a physical action, along with the ability to train responses so they become like reflexes. In theory, people who have bodily-kinesthetic intelligence should learn better by involving muscular movement, and are generally good at physical activities such as sports or dance. They may enjoy acting or performing, and in general they are good at building and making things. They often learn best by doing something physically, rather than by reading or hearing about it. Those with strong bodily-kinesthetic intelligence seem to use what might be termed muscle memory – they remember things through their body such as verbal memory. Careers that suit those with this intelligence include:  athletes, pilots , dancers , musicians , actors , surgeons , builders , police officers  , and soldiers. Although these careers can be duplicated through virtual simulation, they will not produce the actual physical learning that is needed in this intelligence. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">This area has to do with sensitivity to sounds, rhythms, tones, and music. People with a high musical intelligence normally have good pitch and may even have absolute pitch, and are able to sing, play musical instruments, and compose music. Since there is a strong auditory component to this intelligence, those who are strongest in it may learn best via lecture. Language skills are typically highly developed in those whose base intelligence is musical. In addition, they will sometimes use songs or rhythms to learn. They have sensitivity to rhythm, pitch, meter, tone, melody or timbre. Careers that suit those with this intelligence include instrumentalists, singers , conductors , disc jockeys , orators , writers and composers. Research measuring the effects of music on second language acquisition is supportive of this music-language connection. In an investigation conducted on a group of elementary-aged English language learners, music facilitated their language learning. Gardner's theory may help to explain why music and its sub-componenets (i.e., stress, pitch, rhythm) may be viable vehicles for second language learning. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">This area has to do with interaction with others. In theory, people who have a high interpersonal intelligence tend to be extroverts, characterized by their sensitivity to others' moods, feelings, temperaments and motivations, and their ability to cooperate in order to work as part of a group. They communicate effectively and empathize easily with others, and may be either leaders or followers. They typically learn best by working with others and often enjoy discussion and debate. Careers that suit those with this intelligence include sales, politicians , managers , teachers and social workers. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">This area has to do with introspective and self-reflective capacities. This refers to having a deep understanding of the self; what your strengths/ weaknesses are, what makes you unique, being able to predict your own reactions/emotions. Philosophical and critical thinking is common with this intelligence. Many people with this intelligence are authors, psychologists , counselors , philosophers , and members of the clergy. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">This area has to do with nurturing and relating information to one’s natural surroundings. Examples include classifying natural forms such as animal and plant species and rocks and mountain types; and the applied knowledge of nature in farming, mining, etc. Careers which suit those with this intelligence include naturalists, farmers and gardeners. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">Some proponents of multiple intelligence theory proposed spiritual or religious intelligence as a possible additional type. Gardner did not want to commit to a spiritual intelligence, but suggested that an "existential" intelligence may be a useful construct. The hypothesis of an existential intelligence has been further explored by educational researchers. Ability to contemplate phenomena or questions beyond sensory data, such as the infinite and infinitesimal. Careers or callings which suit those with this intelligence include shamans, priests , mathematicians , physicists , scientists , cosmologists and philosophers.
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Logical-mathematical __
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Spatial __
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Linguistic __
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">__Bodily-kinesthetic__
 * <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%; text-align: justify;">__Musical__
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">__Interpersonal__
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Intrapersonal __
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Naturalistic __
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Existential __

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">Now that we know a little bit more about the adquisition language theories, I'm going to show my general conclussions about what we learned in class. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 140%;">