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Language acquisition research and the language teacher

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 November 2008

Barbara J. Gadalla
Barbara J. Gadalla
Affiliation:
Northrop Corporation
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Abstract

Selected language acquisition research findings are examined in light of the language teacher's daily needs. Research results are reported that provide an empirical basis for selecting and grading materials, determining skills to be taught and their order of presentation, deciding on classroom presentation and procedures, and formulating evaluation instruments. Acquisition ordering relationships are shown to have a bearing on teaching sequence; that such a sequence should provide for a number of grammatical, semantic, and length constraints and a skills order constraint. In addition, the research provides support for a developmental model of learning, stressing the need for a variety of approaches and supporting a cognitively-based orientation for older children and adults. Other age-related variables are considered and their pedagogical consequences are reviewed.

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Type
Articles
Information
Studies in Second Language Acquisition , Volume 4 , Issue 1 , fall 1981, pp. 60 - 69
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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