language-and-the-brain-first-and-second-language-acquisition-written-language-1

Language and the Brain

1. What are the different language centers in the brain?
2. What are the different types of language disorders?
3. What are the characteristic features of Broca’s and Wernike’s aphasia?
4. How are these language disorders caused? Give some examples of both type of aphasia.

First Language Acquisition

1. What are the two competing theories of first language acquisition? Describe
2. What criticisms were levelled against ‘behaviorist theory of language acquisition’?
3. What are the prerequisites of language acquisition?
4. Can you describe four typical features of caregiver speech?
5. What are the different stages of language acquisition? Describe each one in one sentence.
6. Do you think children learn a language by reinforcement? Do you think error correction work with children?

Second Language Acquisition

1. What are the differences between first and second language acquisition?
2. What are four typical barriers to acquiring an L2 as an adult compared to L1 acquisition as a child?
3. What are the different methods of second language instruction? Describe each one in one sentence.
4. Which method of L2 instruction is more effective and why?

Written language

1. What is ‘writing’? Define.
2. What was the earlier function of ‘written symbols’?
3. Trace the history of writing systems and discuss each of them in one sentence.
4. What is the difference between a logographic writing system and a phonographic writing system?
5. What is the best way to describe the written symbols used in Chinese writing: pictographic or phonographic or morphographic?