论述题

　　1. What is the role of environment in language learning according to the behaviorists? And the mentalists?

　　2. What is the main idea of the acquisition-learning hypothesis?

　　3. In what sense does foreign language teaching methodology help you in your professional development?

　　4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of grammar-translation method?

　　5. Does it always matter if the “real world” is not being practiced in the classroom? Why or why not?

　　参考答案

　　1. In the behaviorist view, children imitate the language of their environment to a considerable degree, and imitation is a strong contribution factor in the language learning process. A consequence of this is that the frequency with which words and structures occur in the language of the environment, will influence the language development of the child. In addition, reinforcement is needed to arrive at a higher level of language proficiency. Parental approval is an important type of reinforcement in the language learning process: when a child produces a grammatically correct utterance which is understood by its environment, approval from the parents may serve as reinforcement for such an utterance. In this way, the environment encourages the child to produce grammatical utterances, while not encouraging ungrammatical utterances.

　　The linguist Norm Chomsky claims that children are biologically programmed for language and that language develops in the child in just the same way that other biological functions develop. For example, every child will learn to walk as long as adequate nourishment and reasonable freedom of movement are provided. The child does not have to be taught; most children learn to walk at about the same time; and walking is essentially the same in all normal human beings. For Chomsky, language acquisition is very similar to the development of walking. The environment makes a basic contribution --- in this case, the availability of people who speak to the child. The child, or rather, the child’s biological endowment, will do the rest. This is known as the innatist position. Chomsky developed his theory in reaction to the behaviorist theory of learning based on imitation and habit formation.

　　2. Krashen maintained that adult L2 learners have at their disposal two distinct and independent ways of developing competence in a second language: acquisition and learning. Acquisition is a subconscious process identical in all important ways to the process children utilize in acquiring their first language, and learning is a conscious process that results in knowledge about language. Acquisition comes about through meaningful interaction in a natural communication setting. Speakers are not concerned with form, but with meaning; nor is there explicit concern with error detection and correction. This contrasts with the language learning situation in which error detection and correction are central, as is typical the case in classroom settings, where formal rules and feedback provide the basis for language instruction.

　　Nontheless, for Krashen, it is not the setting per se, but conscious attention to rules that distinguishes language acquisition from language learning. In the natural setting, an adult can obtain formal instruction by asking informants about grammar and by receiving feedback from friends. Similarly, language can be acquired in the classroom when the focus in on communication --- eg. through dialogues, role-playing, and other forms of meaningful interaction.

　　3. A foreign language teacher has to not only make his students understand the language, namely the pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, etc., he must also develop their communicative competence so that they can use the language they have learned correctly, appropriately and expressively in real situations. In order to do well this complicated job, the teacher needs to know, apart from a comprehensive knowledge of the language and the ability to use it, as many teaching methods and techniques as possible, and understand the underlying theories and principles, therefore he not only knows what to teach and how to do it, but also why he should do it in a certain way and how to solve problems when they arise. In this way he will have full confidence in doing his job well.

　　Foreign language teachers understand that knowing a language does not necessarily mean that you can teach the language well. Teaching is an art as well as a science. If you do not know the theories, principles, methods or techniques of teaching, you might be able to teach a foreign language based on your experience, but you cannot hope to achieve good results, nor can you give your or your colleagues’ teaching a rational evaluation or a critical appraisal. There are surely limitations in teaching by drawing only on experience, though experience is important. The theory you learnt from the methodology course can guide, support and conceptualize practice. New insights you get by sharing ideas of other people will bring you great benefit. As the old saying goes: “Travel broadens the mind”. In the same way learning Foreign Language Teaching Methodology will surely broaden the mind of teachers.

　　4. The main advantages of this method are: first, comparison between two languages helps students to have a better understanding of the meaning of abstract words and complicated sentences. Second, systematic study of grammatical rules plays an important role in fostering students' ability of reading comprehension and producing grammatically correct sentences. Understanding and manipulating the morphology and syntax will develop students' ability of analyzing and solving problems. Third, the focus on understanding literary texts provides the situation in which reading and writing abilities are well trained. Fourth, it makes few demands on teachers although it often creates frustration for students. It is relatively easy to apply.

　　Disadvantages in this method are: First, overemphasis on translation can never emancipate the learners from dependence on the first language. Second, knowing a large number of grammatical rules cannot ensure that students can use them appropriately in real communicative situation. Third, it puts too much emphasis on reading and writing and neglects listening and speaking. Fourth, the texts are mostly taken from literary works. The language learned often doesn't meet the practical needs of the learners. Fifth, memorizing grammar rules and bilingual word lists does not motivate students to actively communicate in the target language.

　　5. It is always desirable to practice language in the classroom as it is used in the real world, since students will have to use the target language in real communication outside the classroom. However, it is not always possible to do so because classroom is after all different from the outside world no matter how hard you try to simulate the real world situation. And it is not always necessary to do so. Language teaching is conducted at several stages. At the drilling stage, when the focus is on language form, the “real world” does not have to be practiced. But when the focus is on meaning and students are engaged in communication activities, the “real world” practice does matter much. It is where the students learn to use the target language for real communication, and to use it appropriately.