Language & Development

(SLA)
( EDU 2302 )

Ras Al Khaimah Womens college

SLA methods &

theories essay

Student Name: Aaesha Bani

Shemaili
ID: H00225265
Prepared for :Robert
MaCcarthy
Submission Date: 28 of March,
2013

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Grammar-Translation Method
Definition and main ideas
Advantages
Disadvantages
Innatism
Chomsky and first language acquisition
Theorist of second language acquisition
The five Krashens hypothesis
The methodology of Krashens theory
Advantages
Disadvantages
Teaching Practice Observation and Teaching
Conclusion
References

Introduction
Learning a new language is different as if it was first
language or second language. According to Dornyei (2009, pp. 2122), native speakers never complain to learn and speak their own
language. However, some second language learners might not have

a high accuracy of the second language. As a second language

teacher we need to know what the best method and theories could
be used in our classroom in the UAE. Therefore, in this essay I will
discuss one method which is Grammar-Translation method and
one theory called Innatism that teachers use it for their students.
Grammar-translation method
Definition and main ideas of the Grammar-translation
method
The grammar translation approach is defined as teaching
grammar using mother tongue of the learners as they learn the
second language (Freeman & Freeman, 1998, p.175). It is also giving
instruction about grammar rationally (Nunan, 1999, p.77). Moreover,
my generation grow up with grammar- translation method and it
have benefits and drawbacks for students.
There are some main ideas of this approach. Nunan(1999,
p.78) points out some highlights of this method. For instance,
students receive the grammar rules by memorizing it and saying it
over and over. He also adds that teachers teach grammar for the
second language gradually. That means teacher teach grammar for
students step by step that will help student to understand the
grammar more effectively. To summarize this approach, it translates
sentence from second language to the first language and give
student clear instruction of grammar (Fotos, 2005, p. 661).
In addition, when I was in grade eight, my teacher use this
method with us so she make us read any kind of literature obviously
for the famous writers, then translated the difficult vocabulary and
every grammar in Arabic which is our first language.

Advantages

The grammar translation method has several advantages. Firstly, it is easy

to teach and gives extra information about vocabulary and grammar to
students in their native language (Fitriyanti & Soraya, 2011). Furthermore,
Secondly, the lesson will be comprehensible for the students because of
the language of teaching is their own first language ( Grammar Translation
Method, 2009). According to Freeman & Anderson (2011, p.19), teachers
use this method to have students have an ability to read books and
grammar. Moreover, teachers teach students about the grammar rules not
the meaning it self (Fitriyanti & Soraya, 2011). However, I think that it is
true that students will understand about the language but not how to use
it in real life experience.

Disadvantages
The grammar translation approach had some drawbacks.
Firstly, teachers are the only one who can speak fluently in English
(Lightbown & Spada, 2004, p. 94). students will not learn how to
speak second language fluently. The second reason is that this
approach overlooks the output that lead to it (Johnson, 2004, p.73).
For example, learning a language means learning to how to use it
but this approach ignores it because of the lake of communication
and interaction between students and techer. Furthermore, they
teach learner one thing at one time using little by little approach
(Nunan, 1999, p.78). I think that learners can get a lot of thing at
one time. According to Freeman & Freeman (1998, p.8), written
works is the center of this approach; therefore, student
automatically translate any written work in their native language.
Finally, some translation dont have the same meaning and students
are not active in the class (Grammer Translation Method, 2009).
From my perspective, as a new teacher I will never use grammartranslation method because even though my students will
understand the new language but they will not produce it.
Innatism
Chomsky and first language acquisition

Noam Chomsky states that getting a language is the same as

learning to walk, it just something natural that happen (Lighbown &
Spada, 2004, p.15). Therefore, he emphasized that we all have
special ability to investigate and know grammar to all languages he
called the Language Acquisition Device or Universal Grammar
(Dolati, 2012, p.754). This mean we learn a language through
natural approach so Krashen expand his ideas in second language
acquisition so through natural approach second language learner
can acquire language.
Theorist of the second language acquisition
Stephen Krashen was born in 1941. He has PhD in language
and the left Hemisphere in 1972. He also published over 350 books
and articles (Stephen Krashen, 2006). In 1970s Krashen establishes
his model of second language using the five hypothesis currently in
1977 (Lightbown& Spada, 2006 p.36 & Zafar, 2009, p.139).
Krashnens emphasized that students learn better the second
language if the teacher talk to them in their target language
Krashens five hypotheses
Krashens monitor model consists of five hypothesis. First, the
acquisition and learning hypothesis. Krashen asserts that acquisition is
different and it is important than learning because we obtain a language
subconsciously and learn a language consciously ( Bot, Lowie & Verspoor, 2006,
p.36). I think accuracy makes student dont forget information easily because it is
through natural approach and as a teacher we need to use a communicative approach
rather than let our student memorize the rules.
Secondly, the monitor hypothesis suggests that second language learners use
their monitor or editor to check the language that they are producing through
correcting the grammar (Zafar, 2009, p.141). Zafar adds that students used their editor
because of time, form and knowledge. In view, this correction of editor is good for
writing but have negative impact in communication and interaction but if the learner
acquire the language so speaker will be fluent in speeches and feel about correction.

Thirdly, the natural order hypothesis which define as approaching students

understanding in a natural way. Krashens assume that the easiest structure to explain,
it is not the first thing to acquire and grammar acquire in natural process
(Lightbown& Spada, 2006 p.39).
Fourthly, the input hypothesis suggest as comprehensive input is the only way
to acquire language through enjoyment (Dolata, 2012, p.754 & Lightbown&
Spada, 2006 p.39).
Finally, the affective filter that work as a barrier to acquire languge. Success
and failure connect to the emotions such as motivation, confident and nervousness to
the second language learners (Zafar, 2009, p.144). Therefore, if students have
positive emotion so they will have low affective filter which leads students to obtain
the language more and negative emotion will increase the affective filter which will
stop the input (Dolata, 2012, p.756).
The methodology of Krashens theory
The natural approach is a type of communicative teaching
which is based on Kreshens Innatist theory. The natural approach
can be defined as using the second language in meaningful
communication without using the mother tongue (Richard &
Rodgers, 1995, p.178). Krashen and Terell called this method a
traditional approach and it have several codes such as natural,
psychligical, phonetic, new, reform, direct, analytic and
imitative( Richards & Redgers, 2001, p. 178). According to Krashen
& Terrell (2000, pp. 57-58), there are several goals of this approach.
For instance, students will gain communication skills, learn to
comprehend the knowledge and it arrange for input in acquisition.
Advantages
Krashens Innatist theory has a useful impact in students and
teachers. According to Krashen & Terrell (2000, p.58), natural
approach reduce the affective filter because of the activities. For
examples, warming up helps to reduce the affective filter which get
them ready for the lesson. As a second language teacher the five

hypothesis is useful for them as following. According to the monitor

hypothesis, it will help teacher to balance between accuracy and
fluency in students. Moreover, the natural order hypothesis helps
teacher to scaffold and to know that some grammar is easier for
students to acquire (Bilash, 2011).. In view, regarding to the
Krashens hypothesis teacher can plan her lesson in a way that
approach students understanding naturally.
Disadvantages
Although, Krashens ideas have advantages there are also
some disadvantages or criticisms. The first criticism is that we cant
prove that acquisition is different from learning for students
(Criticism of Krashen's, 2004). Furthermore, the affective filter
hypothesis cant describe what learner can achieve and acquire
regarding to their emotion. For instance, sometimes negative
emotions make us successful and as for me I can acquire in difficult
situations. Manson (n.d.) point out that comprehensive output is as
important as comprehensive input because students need to
produce the language. Students need to understand the language
and produce it. He also adds that we dont know the language in
acquired.
My Opinion of Krashens ideas
From my perspective, I agree to the most of krashens ideas
but he claims that only way to acquire language is by
comprehensible input. However, I think there are many ways to
acquire language and how to acquire a language depends on the
students learning styles such as visual, aural and kinesthetic.
Furthermore, I believe that using the natural approach is good
because I learnt my second language which was Ardu by it but
sometimes you need a little bit of Arabic to understand the exact
meaning.
Teaching Practice Observation and Teaching

In my observation to Miss Fatima I saw that she use what we

have been taught in SLA course. Moreover, Miss Fatima never use
grammar-translating method during her lessons such as reading,
writing, listening and speaking. I was really happy with her and
when I asked her why you dont use that method her answer was
similar to mine we are here to teach the second language which is
English not Arabic. I assume that if the teacher use grammartranslation method they will just understand the language but not
acquire it and that will lead to decrease in speaking skills.
When I start to teach Miss Fatima classes I used krashen
comprehensible input hypothesis because I believe that students
will learn the language better. I only speak with English during the
class, breaks and even when they call. As a result, my students have
as ability to speak in English more confidently and efficiently.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teachers need to know what method to use and
where because she will know the best approach for the second
language learners. I suggest teacher use variety of theories to plan
her lesson so the learners will not feel bored in UAE classes because
our students need variety of approaches to let then acquire
language.

References
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http://www2.education.ualberta.ca/staff/olenka.Bilash/best%20of
%20bilash/krashen.html
Chang, S. (2011). A Contrastive study of Grammar translation
method and communicative approach in teaching english
grammar. English Language Teaching, 4(2), 13-24. Retrieved from
http://search.proquest.com/docview/876041736?accountid=1215
Criticism of Krashen's 'Monitor Model . (2004). Retrieved from
http://www.iolp.aof.edu.tr/dersler/4395/unit06/task_4_7.htm

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