7/27/2019 Activity for the Critical Period Hypothesis (Muhammad Syafiq Bin Shahril Azmi Ng - 012012051584)

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Critical Period Hypothesis

Introduction

The Critical Period Hypothesis or CPH is the hypothesis that states there is a period of

growth in which near-native competence is possible when acquiring a language. This

period happens before puberty or before the age of five. The acquisition of a language

accent is much better and smoothly acquired by younger learners compared to adult

learners. The critical period hypothesis has implications for teachers and learning

programmes, but it is not universally accepted. Acquisition theories say that adults do

not acquire languages as well as children because of external and internal factors, not

because of a lack of ability.

Classroom Setting

Form : Form 3

Proficiency Level : Average

Mode : Whole Class/Group work

Teaching Aids : 1. Laptop

2. LCD Projector

3. Video (a short clip from an English movie)

4. Audio (a recording of random questions put togetherfrom authentic materials *movie/songs/TV show/etc*)

5. Scripts (short scripts from dramas for the students to

dramatize).

Conduct:

1. Sets up laptop and LCD projector and plays the video (5 minutes).

2. Prompts the students to share their opinions verbally on what they think the

video was about, what the characters were saying, what were the issues they

can see, etc. (this is to introduce the students on native competence andaccent to correlate with the main goal of this lesson).

3. Explains why certain people have native language competence while others

can use the same language but of lower competence, especially the accent,

due to early exposure during childhood as opposed to when they are older

(explaining CPH indirectly).

4. Reaffirms the students on the topic and clears any doubts before moving on.

5. Introduces the next activity; students have to verbally answer random

questions played from the audio file the teacher had already prepared, one

question per student. The students will be called out randomly without notice

7/27/2019 Activity for the Critical Period Hypothesis (Muhammad Syafiq Bin Shahril Azmi Ng - 012012051584)

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as to keep them alert (this activity is to let the students to not only listen to

authentic material that has native language competence and accent but also to

respond and produce appropriate feedback using their own language

competence and accent. Also this functions as a way to lower their affective

filter as the unpremeditated nature of the activity is fun).

6. Once the previous activity is done, proceeds to the next task which is a script

dramatization. The teacher hands out scripts to the students in groups of four.

They will have to dramatize the script with proper attitude, voice projection

and intonation (this activity is to gauge how well the students can produce the

language as well as giving them a chance to practice, identify and polish their

language competence).

7. Summarizes the lesson and ends the class.