Spoonerism 601 Words You Need to Know /ˈspuː.nər.ɪ.zəm/ (noun) Definition an unintentional mistake in pronouncing two words in succession in which the first sounds of the two words are exchanged humorously, accidental verbal error, slip of the tongue, gaffe Example A spoonerism is an error in speech in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are…
Solecism GRE Vocabulary Flashcard /ˈsɒlɪsɪzəm/ (noun) Definition a grammatical mistake in written or spoken language, blooper, gaffe, blunder, slip, vulgarism, error, faux pas – breach of good manners, impolite behavior, misconduct Example A solecism is a phrase that transgresses the rules of grammar. The term is often used in the context of linguistic prescription; it…
Language-centered Method Language-centered Method Language-centered methods are those that are principally concerned with linguistic forms. These methods such as ‘Audiolingual Method, seek to provide opportunities for learners to practice pre-selected, pre-sequenced linguistic structures through form-focused exercises in class, assuming that a preoccupation with form will ultimately lead to the mastery of the target language and…
Second Language Acquisition (SLA) Second Language Acquisition (SLA). An abbreviation for Second Language Acquisition. Second Language Acquisition is the common term used for the name of the discipline. In general, SLA refers to the process of learning another language after the native language has been learnt (Gass & Selinker, 2008). Sometimes the term refers to…
Pragmatics Pragmatics refers to the field of study where linguistic features are considered in relation to users of the language. Researchers have investigated what speakers accomplish when they perform utterances in terms of (1) interactional acts, and (2) speech acts. Interactional acts give structure to the discourse by ensuring that one utterance leads smoothly to…
Discourse analysis and pragmatics in second language acquisition Discourse Analysis and Pragmatics Discourse analysis serves as a device for systematically describing the kinds of interactions that occur in language classrooms. Drawing on initial work on content classrooms by Bellack (1966) and by the Birmingham School of linguistics (Sinclair & Coulthard (1975) discourse analysts give attention…
Behaviorism in second language learning Empirical studies were primarily descriptive and totally objective by nature. In the late 1960s and 1970s, a growing consensus was reached that behaviorist theories of L2 learning were inadequate. L2 learners, like L1 learners, were credited with a ‘built-in-syllabus’, which guided their progress. According to the behaviorist hypothesis, the mind of…
Audiolingualism in second language learning After Grammar Translation Method, audiolingualism emerged in the late 1950s and 1960s. This method is very popular even today, based on the foundation of drill-based techniques and exercises. Based on the theory of learning “behaviorism”, which viewed all learning as a process of forming habits. Language learning is basically a…