01.+Language+Adquisition+Theories

**THEME 1:** **LANGUAGE ADQUISITION PROCESS**


 * **__ VYGOTSKY'S THEORY __**

According to Vygotsky, social interaction plays a fundamental role in the process of cognitive development in children. He also said that learning occurred in the **Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD):** The __ZPD__ is the distance between a student’s ability to perform a task under adult guidance and/or with peer collaboration and the student’s ability solving the problem independently.

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Students develop new cognitive abilities when a teacher leads them through task-oriented interactions. A metaphor that has been used to describe this kind of teaching is ‘**scaffolding**’. The student is seen as constructing an edifice that represents her cognitive abilities. The construction starts from the ground up, on the foundation of what is already known and can be done. The new is built on top of the known. media type="youtube" key="pXl7PP3bBKE?version=3" height="360" width="640"

Resources about Vygotsky's theory: Vygotsky Social Development Theory (Vygotsky) Constructivist Theory Vygotsky & language acquisition


 * __**GARDNER'S LEARNING THEORY**__

Gardner defines an intelligence as ‘‘biopsychological potential to process information that can be activated in a cultural setting to solve problems or create products that are of value in a culture’’. According to Gardner, there are more ways to do this than just through logical and linguistic intelligence.



__**Linguistic intelligence**__ involves sensitivity to spoken and written language, the ability to learn languages, and the capacity to use language to accomplish certain goals. This intelligence includes the ability to effectively use language to express oneself rhetorically or poetically; and language as a means to remember information. Writers, poets, lawyers and speakers are among those that Howard Gardner sees as having high linguistic intelligence.

__**Logical-mathematical intelligence**__ consists of the capacity to analyze problems logically, carry out mathematical operations, and investigate issues scientifically. In Howard Gardner's words, it entails the ability to detect patterns, reason deductively and think logically. This intelligence is most often associated with scientific and mathematical thinking.

__**Musical intelligence**__ involves skill in the performance, composition, and appreciation of musical patterns. It encompasses the capacity to recognize and compose musical pitches, tones, and rhythms. According to Howard Gardner musical intelligence runs in an almost structural parallel to linguistic intelligence.

__**Bodily-kinesthetic intelligence**__ entails the potential of using one's whole body or parts of the body to solve problems. It is the ability to use mental abilities to coordinate bodily movements. Howard Gardner sees mental and physical activity as related.

__**Spatial intelligence**__ involves the potential to recognize and use the patterns of wide space and more confined areas. Careers which suit those with this type of intelligence include artits, designers and architecs. A spatial person is also good with puzzles

__**Interpersonal intelligence**__ is concerned with the capacity to understand the intentions, motivations and desires of other people. It allows people to work effectively with others. Educators, salespeople, religious and political leaders and counsellors all need a well-developed interpersonal intelligence.

__**Intrapersonal intelligence**__entails the capacity to understand oneself, to appreciate one's feelings, fears and motivations. In Howard Gardner's view it involves having an effective working model of ourselves, and to be able to use such information to regulate our lives. Many people with this intelligence are authots, phychologists, counselors or philosophers.

__**Naturalistic intelligence**__ has to do with nurturing and relating information to one’s natural surroundings. Examples include classifying natural forms such as animal and plant species and rocks and mountain types; and the applied knowledge of nature in farming, mining, etc. Careers which suit those with this intelligence include naturalists, farmers and gardeners.

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Resources about Howard Gardner's theory: Howard Gardner Howard Gardner, multiple intelligences and education Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences


 * __**NON-VERBAL LANGUAGE**__




 * Non-verbal communication** is usually understood as the process of communication through sending and receiving wordless messages between people.



__THE MOST COMMON NONVERBAL SIGNS ARE:__

Gestures with precise meaning known by a culture Gestrures that enhance verbal messages. Help a person adapt release tension, also called “manipulators”. Hands are used vey often ( scratch, touch, smood..) Used to regulate, manage or control a conversation. Turn taking, control the conversation Facial expressions showing emotions Micro-expressions
 * Emblems**
 * Illustrators**
 * Adaptors**
 * Regulators**
 * Affect displayers**

Sometime we also use sounds. This is known as __PARALANGUAGE.__ The most common ones are:

volume, inflection, pitch, pacing, tone, melodiousness. sounds, sights, mumbling, groans, whines, yawning, laughing, cryings ( show character, emotions, and sensations) Fillers in speech, Pauses, silence or sounds: Oh! Ah-ah!, like-a, sh, Uhuh!...
 * Qualifiers**
 * Characterizers**
 * Segregates**

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Actions Speak Louder Than Words Body Language Non-Verbal Commuication Modes IMPROVING YOUR NONVERBAL SKILLS AND READING BODY LANGUAGE

__**TASK 1**__