Welcome to Unit 5 Seminar:Stages of Languge Acquisition

Learning The Language

Unit 5 Agenda

• Explore patterns of language acquisition • Learn about BICS and CALP• Discuss various learning strategies used to promote language acquisition• Consider five stages of ELL language development

BICS(the basics— “Hello-Good-by”)

• Basic interpersonal communication skills (Develops in 1-2 years)• Conversational language• Acquired fairly rapidly• Students may appear to be fluent but lack academic vocabulary• Playground example: Come on! Let’s play! //How can we promote conversational language development in our

students?//In which school contexts might conversational practice naturally

occur?

CALP(academic language)

• Cognitive academic language proficiency • Academic language• Many ELL’s come with CALP in Spanish• Takes 5-7 years to develop (in English)• Examples: weathering, erosion, narrative, character, setting, etc.//How can we promote academic language development in our students?

Field Trip!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0QfRf-I9Vw&NR=1

(return in 3 minutes)View the video and discuss://Why does this high school teacher allow her students to

process math content in Spanish?

CALP Cognitive Academic Language Processing

Supporting English Learners

• Build conversational and academic vocabulary• Promote social skills• Provide opportunities for social interaction (natural, social settings)• Teach language, grammar, and phonics• Provide comprehensible input (background and support)• Teach language through cognitively demanding tasks

(academic work is the backdrop)

Question• //Why is social interaction such an important part of language

acquisition?

Field Trip!Comprehensible Input– How we learn language(return in 3 minutes)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K11o19YNvk

View the video and discuss:

1. //What strategies did you notice that helped you understand German?

2. //Krashen teaches us the we learn language when…

Context-Embedded Activities• Able to figure out words based on the environment or context of the

words• Students can figure out the meaning because they have comprehensible

input – Examples: use real objects, pictures, visuals, videos, actions,

simulations, hands on learning, demonstrations, or personal connection to understand.

//Provide an example of a lesson or activity that would include context to assist the ELL learner.

An awareness of natural language acquisition influences the ELL teacher and paraprofessional.

//Why do we need to understand stages when helping ELL’s?

Five Stages of Language Development

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eoca1Ou_6TE

5.33 minutes

Stages of Language Acquisition

• stage 1 (preproduction/silence)• stage 2 (early production)• stage 3 (speech emergence)• stage 4 (intermediate fluency)• stage 5 (advanced fluency)

Stages of Language Acquisition

Stage 1 (preproduction)

• Need repetition of English• Buddy system who speaks their language • Silent stage– can last up to 6 months• TPR and other non-verbal forms of communication

//What is TPR?

Stages of Language Acquisition

Stage 2 (early production)yes/no questionsuse pictures to supportmodify contentbuilding vocab. using pictures listening activities key vocabulary and conceptssimple, predictable textgraphic organizers, chartsshort sentences, sentence frame to scaffold writing

Stages of Language Acquisition

Stage 3 (speech emergence)• vocabulary of 3,000• read short text• word banks• answer questions about charts• develop academic vocabulary• choral reading• write and illustrate

Stages of Language Acquisition

Stage 4 (intermediate fluency)• complex sentences• express opinions• ask clarification questions• use 1st language strategies to learn new

content• develop academic vocabulary

Stages of Language Acquisition

Stage 5 (advanced fluency)• 4-10 years to achieve cognitive academic language proficiency

CALP (English)• most have been exited

Stages of Language Acquisition

//Why is it important to be aware of our students’ stage of language acquisition?

Questions or final thoughts?

Thank you for another great seminar!

Have a great week!

~Beth