1. Jill Walker Vestavia Hills Elementary West aw3e@mtsu.edu

2.  Language is a natural, biological process  Based on the work on Chomsky and Universal Grammar  All children are born with a Language Acquisition Device (LAD) that allows them to produce and understand language (Chomsky 2008).

3.  Emphasis on learner interactions and social aspect of language.  Reflected in the work of Vygotsky.  Second language acquisition occurs through interactions between the learner, teacher, and peers.  Uses error analysis to promote SLA.

4.  Some brain researchers in the field of SLA believe that there is a “critical period” for language learning.  Children ages 2-12 can most effectively learn a language due to brain development during this time.  Most researchers agree that when it comes to language learning, earlier is better; the critical period can limit L1 and L2 acquisition (Lenneburg 1967).

5. Language  Similarities and differences between L1 and L2  L1 proficiency  L2 knowledge Learner  Classroom environment  Home environment Learning Process  Learning styles  Cultural influences  Interactions (Walqui 2000)

6.  Remember to consider every child as an individual…No two students are alike!  To motivate students, center instruction around their likes and interests.  Create an environment rich in pictures, hands- on materials, and realia.

7.  The Interactionist theory is most effective.  My students learn best through meaningful conversations with their teachers and peers.  In addition, my students benefit from error analysis and error correction.  My students learn from the social interactions that occur in their learning environment.

8.  I believe that the Interactionist theory is most effective and most evident in my teaching.  I value the social interactions of my students, and believe that they learn from them.  I encourage peer interaction in my learning environment.

9.  http://thormay.net/lxesl/tesol/cycle1/sla/sla resources.htm http://thormay.net/lxesl/tesol/cycle1/sla/sla resources.htm  http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/lan guage_stages.php http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/lan guage_stages.php  http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/con tent/cntareas/reading/li7lk12.htm http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/con tent/cntareas/reading/li7lk12.htm  http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005co ntextual.html http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005co ntextual.html  http://www.pps.k12.or.us/curriculum/PDFs/ ESL_Modifications.pdf http://www.pps.k12.or.us/curriculum/PDFs/ ESL_Modifications.pdf

10. Chomsky, N. (2008). Noam Chomsky talks about universal grammar. Retrieved from http://www.usingenglish.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt- tb.cgi/19. Chomsky, N. (2000). The architecture of language. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Lenneberg, E.H. (1967) Biological foundations of language. New York: Wiley and sons. Walqui, A. (2000). Contextual factors in second language acquisition. Retrieved from http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/0005contex tual.html