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Date Posted: 17:38:04 10/16/05 Sun
Author: Eduardo Ferreira Costa
Subject: Re: Final Draft: Learner Roles in Second Language Acquisition
In reply to: Mariléia Xavier 's message, "Final Draft: Learner Roles in Second Language Acquisition" on 13:47:45 10/15/05 Sat

>Learner Roles in Second Language Acquisition
>
>For a long time the success in second language
>acquisition was due to a good method, a teacher and
>the cognitive factor only. But if it was true, why
>some learners did not achieve a successful level in
>the target language, even though they were involved by
>those three factors? After many researches on
>successful and unsuccessful learners, nowadays we know
>that there are other factors involved in the whole
>language learning process. Among those factors it is
>vital to emphasize the learners roles. Their
>contributions are as important as the teachers` - or
>more so. Thus successful mastery of the second
>language will be due to a large extent to a learners`
>own personal effort.
>The first, and maybe the most important factor related
>to the learner roles is the Intrinsic Motivation. If
>the learner(1) are aware of their needs, wants or desires
>they will be positively motivated to learn a foreign
>language. According to Brown (2003), Intrinsic
>Motivation is an important element that works as a
>kind of reward. Thus, learners will participate in
>class because of their self-rewarding, and not because
>they anticipate some reward from the teachers.
>A second element that contributes to a successful
>second language acquisition is the learner`s belief in
>his or her own capacity to learn a language. It means,
>a learner can not succeed in the learning process
>without some degree of self-esteem, knowledge of him
>or herself, and belief in his or her own capabilities.
>In summary, the Self-confidence, which is related to
>the self-esteem, deals with the fact that the learners
>believe that they “can do it”.
>Another factor is the Strategic Investment. It means,
>“learner`s (2)own personal investment of time, effort,
>and attention to the second language in the form of an
>individualized battery of strategies for comprehending
>and producing the language” (Brown, 2003, p. 20).
>Also it is important to say that “the methods that the
>learner employs to internalize and to perform in the
>language” (Brown, 2003, p. 20), are so important as
>the teaching methods, textbooks, or even grammatical
>paradigms.
>One of the characteristics of a good language learner
>is the ability to take risk. The Risk-taking, that is
>the willingness to try out the new language, is an
>important factor that contributes to the development
>of learners` skills, mainly the speaking. The
>Risk-taking seems to be connected with the self
>esteem. Some learners avoid speaking in class because
>they are very afraid of making mistakes or appearing
>foolish. On the other hand , those with high
>self-esteem take risks in attempting to produce and to
>interpret the acquired language.
>It is important teachers and learners know that a
>large number of variables are implied in the
>acquisition of a second language. Furthermore, the
>awareness of the several factors that affect and
>contribute to the learning process help them to find
>solutions to problems in the classroom. In conclusion
>, classroom techniques have a much greater chance for
>success if teachers and learners work together , each
>one doing (3) his role. Finally, knowing the learner roles
>teachers can create an atmosphere in the classroom
>that encourages and motivates students participate of
> the learning process. In the same way, being aware
>of their role learners are expected to participate of
>the process instead of just wait for teachers` effort.
>
>
>
>References
>
>BROWN,H. Douglas. Teaching by Principles: An
>Interactive Approach to Language Pedagogy.Second
>Edition. Addison Wesley Longman: New York,2003.
>BROWN, H. Douglas. Principles of Language Learning and
>Teaching. Second Edition. Prentice-hall, Inc.: New
>Jersey, 1987.

Dear Mariléia,

Your text is well-written. Although, I suggest:
1. using the plural form for LEARNERS
2. getting out OWN here;
3. writing THEIR instead of his.

Have a nice week!

Eduardo

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Replies:

  • Re: Final Draft: Learner Roles in Second Language Acquisition -- Eduardo Miguel, 12:33:23 10/17/05 Mon
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