Language Acquisition BETHANY ADAMS, NATHAN WOOD, AND DEREK MOORE

Definition

The process by which people acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language as well as produce and use words and sentences to communicate (Wikipedia, n.d.).

Importance

Language is one of the defining features of culture and self identity allowing one to communicate meaning (Manitoba Education, 2015).

Language acquisition is a continuous process and students continue to improve the skill over time (Manitoba Education, 2015).

Second Language acquisition is of growing significance as the percentage of the population who do not speak English increases (U.S. Census Bureau, 2013)

Importance

Second language acquisition correlates with higher test scores, linguistic awareness, and ability to hypothesize in science (ACTFL, 2015).

As the economy continues to globalize second language acquisition grows in prominence (ACTFL, 2015).

Most nations are now multicultural and multilingual (Spring, 2014).

How it applies to 21st Century Education

Second language acquisition is not occurring; only 20% of students are enrolled in second language courses (ACFTL, 2015).

Language education prepares students for post-secondary success however (ACFTL, 2015).

Language acquisition helps individuals sympathize with a culture (ACFTL, 2015).

As the world becomes more and more connected language acquisition should be a focus in 21st century education (ACFTL, 2015).

Role of Technology

Technology plays a huge role in language acquisition. One way is through the simple computer-assisted second

language programs (Chapelle, 2007). Examples - Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, and multiple websites

A second example is by incorporating technology in projects to promote language acquisition. Examples – Produce restaurant reviews in a second language

(ACFTL, 2015) or producing directions to different locations in target language (ACFTL, 2015).

Duolingo

For our lesson we will use Duolingo in the classroom to teach German language to our 3rd grade class.

We will create a teacher account so that we can keep track of our students progress. We would either challenge those who are ahead of the class average or work more with those who are struggling and below average.

Each student will either use Duolingo on a class iPad, laptop, or computer in the classroom.

The students will spend 20 minutes a day on Duolingo. All students will start at beginner (unless already fluent in basic German)

Duolingo

Duolingo

Duolingo

Duolingo

References

ACTFL. (2015). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from http://www.actfl.org/advocacy/what-the-research- shows#academic_achievement

Chapelle, C. A. (2007). Technology and Second Language Acquisition. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 98-114. doi:10.1017/S0267190508070050

https://www.duolingo.com Facts and Statistics. (2015). In West Virginia Department of Education. Retrieved November

29, 2015, from https://wvde.state.wv.us/abe/literacyestimates.htm Language acquisition. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved October 29, 2015 from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_acquisition Manitoba Education. (2015). Retrieved October 29, 2015, from

http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/ela/docs/frameworks-ktos1.html Spring, J. (2014). American Education (16th ed.). New York City, NY: McGraw-Hill Publishing

Company. U.S. Census Bureau. (2013, August). Language Use in the United States: 2011. Retrieved

October 29, 2015, from https://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/acs-22.pdf