Innatist Theory

The Innatist Theory

• Involves language acquisition 
• People's brains are pre-programmed to learn languages
• Main Pioneers- Noam Chomsky
• All languages are fundamentally innate
• Children do not have to be taught HOW to learn a language

Implications

• All languages possess many of same principles
• Anyone can potentially learn a second language
• Acquiring a 2nd language can be done at any age
• "The process of language development is never complete"

The Study

• Involved cross language transfer& Language Interdependence model
• Spanish speaking children were tested
• Oral skills and phonological awareness in Spanish translated to English
• All languages are fundamentally the same
• The brains is able to make connections from L1 to L2

Class Activity

• To show students how their brain is like a sponge
• It can help boost their confidence
• The students are handed sponges & asked to describe them
• The teacher makes connections between sponge & human brain
• The students are told that both function similarly

Do's & Don'ts

• Don't label a child as incapable
• Don't get discouraged if lack of progress
• Do remind children of their capabilities
• Do expose children to L2 on a daily basis
• Do use different ways to expose L2 to child

Do's and Don'ts (Con't)

• Don't assume all learners learn at same rate
• Don't rely on the Innatist Theory- Good teaching is still needed!
• Don't think children's brains are "blank slates"
• Do praise a child when they reach milestones in language development
• Always believe in your students :) 

The End.