LINGUISTIC PRINCIPLES

&

PSYCHOLINGUISTICS

Subject code:704

LINGUISTIC PRINCIPLESThey are the general principles of

language teaching.Learning and teaching of language is

scientific. It is based on certain principles.They are applicable to almost all

languages.These principles are devised by the

scholars and experts in the field of language teaching.

They ensure the effective and successful learning and teaching of langauge.

PRINCIPLE OF NATURALNESSLanguage is learned naturallyIt should start from an oral level.Sentence is the language unitSo teacher should proceed to sentences.PRINCIPLE OF LEARNING BY DOINGMain focus is on the development of four

skills.Therefore practice is essential.

THE PRINCIPLE OF PRACTICE.Practice leads to mastery of

language.The expressions, grammar,

vocabulary of language depends on practice.

According to psychological justifications 84% of the time should be utilized for practice.

Only 15 % should be used for explanations and commentary.

PRINCIPLE OF IMITATIONPropounded by E L Thorndike.Imitation is said to be the most important

principle in language learning.He says language is learned through

imitation.It denotes that teacher should be experts in

language structures and grammar.If teacher makes a mistake students will

imitate it.Especially in small classes.

PRINCIPLE OF MOTIVATION AND INTEREST.

Teacher should motivate and develop interest in students.

Class should be alive and active with aids and activities.

Teacher can use debates and discussions.

Both students and teacher should be active and interested in class.

PRINCIPLE OF SPEAKINGTeacher should provide situations to speak.In teaching oral work should be given priority.Effective and economical way to improve

language.Also helps in correcting pronunciations.THE PRINCIPLE OF CONTEXT AND

SITUATIONTeacher should provide contexts and

situations.Helps students to use language in daily life.Classified into real and artificial situations.

PRINCIPLE OF GRADATION AND SEQUENCE.

It means placing language items in order.Gradation means what all things have to be

taught.Sequence refers what is to be taught after

each section.PRINCIPLE OF MULTIPLE LINE OF

APPROACHIt denotes that multiple methods must be

used in teaching.Like using activities, language games,

exercises along with lecturing.

psycholinguistics

PSYCHOLINGUISTICSStudy of psychological factors that enable

human to;Acquire languageUse languageProduce language

Psycholinguistics has roots in philosophy and education.

The term was coined by Jacob Robert Kantor in 1936.

Psycholinguistics is an interdisciplinary field.

MAIN FOCUS OF PSYCHOLINGUISTICS

Language acquisitionLanguage comprehensionLanguage productionSecond Language acquisition

PSYCHOLINGUISTIC

THEORIES

LANGUAGE ACQUISITIONTwo main schools of thought.First perspective was upheld by Jean

Piaget and Rudolf Carnap.This view states that languages are

learned with conscious efforts.Alternative view was put forward by Noam

Chomsky.This view states that humans posses an

innate language faculty.Chomsky believed in the innate ability of

man to acquire language.

LANGUAGE COMPREHENSIONLanguage comprehension deals with how

people process or understands the meaning of a sentence.

Theoretical devices in this field:-Modular viewsInteractive viewsModular view assumes that there are

different stages in processing a sentence which are independent.

These different stages have limited interaction.

Interactive perspective.This view states that information

contained in a sentence can be processed at any time.

There are no different levels or stages.There are evidences to support both

theories.Still nobody has proved which is the

correct one.

BEHAVIOURISMMain proponents are Pavlov , E.L

Thorndike and B.F.Skinner.Laws evolved by Thorndike: The law of readiness.The law of exercise.The law of effect.Learning is a mechanical process of habit

formation.Language learning is like forming

behaviour. It is through reinforcement and practice.

SIGNIFICANT PRINCILPESLanguage is acquired through

external observation.Behaviour is subject to observation.Linguistic behaviour is a habit.Habits are formed by imitation and

repetitionChilds‘s mind is a tabula rasa.Language learning ability is a general

ability.Habits are a matter of stimulus-

response.

CRITICAL VIEWS Behaviorism approximates man to

automations or mechanical it disregards man’s ability to think

and discriminate.it is concerned only with surface

aspects of learning.It fails to account for complexity and

creativity of language.

COGNITIVISMPopularly known as Gestalt school of

psychology.Gestalt means whole.Importance is given the whole development

of language.Lays emphasis on cognitive experiences.Cognitive experience means meaningful

understanding.It believes that humans possess innate

ability to acquire language.

SIGNIFICANT PRINCIPLES.Human beings are endowed with

biological capacity for language.The capacity to learn language is genetic.

Not acquired.Learning is a meaningful activity.CRITICAL VIEWSConcept of innateness cannot be

subjected to verification.It neglects the role of environmental

factors.The theory has not evolved substantial

methods of teaching.

CONSTRUCTIVISMMain supporters of this theory are; Jean

Piaget, Jerome S Bruner, Vygotsky, Noam Chomsky etc.

Learning is a process of constructing knowledge.

Child interacts with the nature and constructs knowledge.

Through interaction, investigation, reaction and interpretation.

Learning involves problem solving. Education is learner centered.Construction of knowledge through

experience and prior knowledge.

Constructivist approach is:Child centered.Activity based.Process oriented.FEATURES.Prediction, creation and analysis of

knowledge.Promotion of divergent thinking and

reflective thinking.Freedom of children to self regulation.Developing ability for free expression.Open ended learning strategy.More stress on learning processTeacher’s role as a guide and co-learner.

CONCLUSIONlanguages are complex combinations of

elegant principles.It is difficult to develop a clear cut

concrete theories in language.There are many theories in the field of

language acquisition. But most of them fails to provide a satisfying explanation.

All theories agree on one fact that is, language acquisition is the key aspect that distinguishes man from other living beings.

THANK YOU

BY AMALA SEBASTIAN