Introduction to Instructed Second Language Acquisiton by Shawn Loewen(2015)

I've been interested in this book, Introduction to Instructed Second Language Acquisition, Shawn Loewen 2015. 

Introduction to Instructed Second Language Acquisition

This is because I've had been feeling that SLA theories are quite or a little far from what I am doing. Thus, I had been looking for the suitable and plausible research area that is focusing on SLA related basis and including the classroom setting and also oriented... and it is the research area that is called ISLA;Instructed Second Languiage Acquisiton. 

Shawn Loewen is one of the leading scholars in this research area and what he has in his mind, his thoughts are quite convincing and inspiring for me as a practioner. The followings are my summaries from the book for not forgetting (1).

Instructed Second Language Acquisition by Shawn Loewen(2015)

Introduction

ISLA... (1)instruction beneficial?? (2)How can the effectiveness of instruction be optimized??

Loewen(2013) states that ISLA investigates L2 learning or acquisition that occurs as a result of teaching.

Housen and Pierrard(2005) ISLA: any systematic attempt to enable or facilitate language learning by manipulating the mechanisms of learning and/or the conditions under which these occur.

In this book; Loewen(2015) ISLA is a theoretically and empirically based field of academic inquiry that aims to understand how the systematic manipulation of the mechanisms of learning and/or the conditions under which they occur enable or facilitate the development and acquisition of a language other than one’s first.(p2)

Second Language Acquisition

Second:

Language:

Acquisition: learning/development, acquisition/learning refer to similar constructs.

—-Stephen Krashen:

learning referring to the accumulation of metalinguistic, declarative knowledge about the L2,

and

acquisition referring to gaining the implicit L2 knowledge that results in learner’s ability to use the L2 for communication.(p3)

Instructed L2 acquisition to occur outside the classroom, for example, if learners are participating in study abroad programs or are using textbooks or computer assisted language learning materials for self selected, individual study program.(p4)

Quadrant1~4(象限、四分位)(p5)

In many cases in the L2(ISLA) classroom, both the input and the processes of learner engagement with that input are manipulated. (Processing Instruction, VanPatten 2007)(p5-6)

What types of manipulations(by teacher) are most effective??(p6)

...research in general suggests that instruction can improve the rate of acquisition, and instructed learners may progress more quickly. Furthermore, instruction may be necessary to achieve higher levels of ultimate attainment and to avoid fossilization(Housen&Pierrard, 2005)(p7)

The larger controversy regarding the effectiveness of L2 instruction pertains to whether or not classroom instruction can help learners develop L2 knowledge that results in communicative ability(Dekeyser, 2007a; Ellis, 2005; Krashen, 2003).

(According to Krashen...) instruction is not beneficial for acquisition: the internal processes of language development are not amenable to external manipulation; natural order hypothesis.

the Interaction Approach, Input Processing Theory, and Skill Acquisition Theory all propose specific ways in which instruction can be beneficial.

1.the Interaction Approach

encountering and negotiating language forms during the course of meaningful interaction allows learners to notice the language forms, thereby enabling them to incorporate these forms into their interlanguage system.

2.Input Processing Theory

learners process language in specific ways that are influenced by a learner’s L1. These processing strategies may be unhelpful in processing the L2. Through processing instruction in the classroom, teachers can make learners aware of these unproductive strategies, and provide structured input activities which force learners to process the L2 in more productive ways.

3.Skill Acquisition Theory

learners begin with declarative knowledge about the L2 which becomes proceduralized through practice, enabling learners to use their knowledge in more automatized ways. Thus, providing practice opportunities in the classroom is a key tenet of Skill Acquisition Theory. (P14)

Spada and Tomita (2010) claim that ‘there is a general consensus that instruction is beneficial for second language development’.(p14)

effective for what??

—two possible goals of L2 instruction

1)explicit, declarative knowledge of grammatical rules and other linguistic areas

2)implicit, procedularized knowledge that enables spontaneous communication in the L2.

Reading and summary are to be continued...