Acquisition
Definition: The process by which learners naturally develop language skills through exposure and interaction, without explicit instruction.
Example: "Language acquisition occurs best when students are immersed in a languagerich environment."
Affective Filter
Definition: The emotional barriers that influence language learning, such as anxiety or motivation.
Example: "Lowering the affective filter can help students feel more comfortable speaking in class."
Allophones
Definition: Variations of a phoneme that do not change the meaning of a word.
Example: "In English, the /p/ sound in 'spin' and 'pin' are allophones."
Bilingualism
Definition: The ability to use two languages proficiently. Example: "Bilingualism offers cognitive advantages, such as enhanced problemsolving skills."
Cognates
Definition: Words in two languages that share a common origin and similar meaning.
Example: "The English word 'information' and the Spanish word 'información' are cognates."
Code-Switching
Definition: The practice of alternating between two or more languages or dialects within a conversation.
Example: "Many bilingual speakers engage in code-switching without realizing it."
Comprehensible Input
Definition: Language that is slightly above the learner's current proficiency level but still understandable.
Example: "Teachers should provide comprehensible input to help students gradually acquire new vocabulary."
CriticalPeriodHypothesis
Definition: The theory that there is an optimal time frame for language acquisition, usually in early childhood.
Example: "The critical period hypothesis suggests that younger children learn languages more easily than adults."
Discourse
Definition: The use of language in spoken or written communication.
Example: "Analyzing discourse helps teachers understand how students use language in different contexts."
ELP(EnglishLanguageProficiency)
Definition: A measure of a student's ability to use English across speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills.
Example: "An ELP assessment helps teachers place students in the correct level for instruction."
Error Fossilization
Definition: The process by which incorrect language use becomes ingrained and resistant to correction.
Example: "Fossilized errors are common among advanced learners who have internalized incorrect forms."
Formative Assessment
Definition: Ongoing evaluations used to monitor student learning and provide feedback during instruction.
Example: "Formative assessments help teachers adjust their lessons to meet students’ needs."
GrammarTranslationMethod
Definition: A language teaching method focused on translating sentences and learning grammar rules.
Example: "In the grammar translation method, students often translate texts between their native language and the target language."
Interlanguage
Definition: The evolving linguistic system that a language learner builds during the process of learning a second language.
Example: "Interlanguage contains both L1 transfer and L2 elements, reflecting the learner's progression."
Lexicon
Definition: The vocabulary of a language.
Example: "Building a strong lexicon is essential for effective communication in a new language."
Morphology
Definition: The study of the structure and formation of words.
Example: "Understanding morphology helps students break down complex words into their roots and affixes."
Phoneme
Definition: The smallest unit of sound that can distinguish meaning in a language.
Example: "The sounds /b/ and /p/ in 'bat' and 'pat' are different phonemes in English."
Pragmatics
Definition: The study of how context influences the interpretation of meaning in language use.
Example: "In pragmatics, understanding the speaker's intention is often more important than the literal meaning of the words."
Register
Definition: The level of formality or informality used in language based on context and audience.
Example: "In formal registers, contractions and slang are usually avoided."
Scaffolding
Definition: Support provided to learners to help them reach higher levels of understanding and skill.
Example: "Teachers scaffold complex tasks by breaking them down into manageable steps."
Schema
Definition: Background knowledge and experience that learners bring to the interpretation of new information.
Example: "Activating students' schema before reading helps them connect new information to what they already know."
Silent Period
Definition: A phase in language learning where learners focus on comprehension and avoid speaking.
Example: "During the silent period, students may understand more than they are able to express verbally."
Syntax
Definition: The set of rules that govern the structure of sentences in a language.
Example: "The sentence 'She is happy' follows English syntax, but 'Happy she is' does not."
Target Language
Definition: The language being learned or taught in a classroom setting.
Example: "The teacher encourages students to speak only in the target language during class discussions."
Total Physical Response (TPR)
Definition: A language teaching method where learners respond to commands with physical actions.
Example: "Total Physical Response helps beginner students learn verbs through physical movement."
Transfer
Definition: The influence of a learner's first language on their second language.
Example: "Positive transfer can occur when the rules of L1 and L2 are similar."
Universal Grammar
Definition: The theory that all human languages share a common underlying structure.
Example: "Chomsky’s theory of Universal Grammar suggests that all humans are born with an innate capacity for language."
Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
Definition: The difference between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance.
Example: "In the ZPD, students can achieve more with the help of a more knowledgeable other."
Fossilization
Definition: The process where incorrect language use becomes fixed and hard to correct in the language learner's interlanguage.
Example: "Many advanced learners may experience fossilization, where they continue to make the same grammar mistakes."
Error Analysis
Definition: The systematic study of learner errors to understand how language learning progresses.
Example: "Error analysis helps teachers identify patterns in student mistakes and tailor their instruction to address these issues."