Week 3 – Discussion 1

Part One: View the video Steven Pinker: Linguistics as a Window to Understanding the Brain.  Evaluate the aspects, role, and significance of Universal Grammar in English second language acquisition.  Which aspect of Universal Grammar do you think has the greatest application to a classroom setting?  Explain the rationale for your choice.
 
Part Two: Using a specific concept from the video, create an activity that you could use in a classroom setting.  Your activity should assess the lexical (words), typology (patterns) and/or function (how language functions) in relation to Universal Grammar and learning English.

Use the video to assist you in creating the activity.  Be sure to include the target audience, the standard(s) being addressed, an explanation of the activity, and how it will be assessed.  

Guided Response:  Respond to at least two of your classmates with suggestions they might consider in order to improve their activity.  Be sure to also respond to any questions from your classmates and the instructor.

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.

Week 3 – Discussion 2

ELL students, whose first language is Spanish, comprise the largest number/percentage of ELL students in U.S. schools.  Over 70% of ELL students are Spanish speakers.

Lexical knowledge of English is an important aspect of English acquisition.  How could you use Lexical knowledge to support Spanish-speaking ELL students in a classroom setting?  How would you assess this support?  How would you know your lexical knowledge support is effective?  

Guided Response: Review and respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.  What suggestions can you offer to help your classmates enhance their proposal?  Do you know of a different or better way to assess the outcomes your classmates are hoping to achieve with students?  Do you have suggestions regarding the use of art or some other concepts that might make the lesson more relevant or engaging? Perhaps nothing needs to be changed, but do you have a potential follow up lesson to share?   Be sure to also respond to any questions from classmates and the instructor.

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.

Week 3 – Assignment

Typological and Functional Approaches

Develop a research-based classroom activity that addresses the use of typological and functional approaches to English second language acquisition.  Consider the activity enhancement conversation you have had in the discussion board this week and apply this new and shared knowledge to this assignment.  In addition to using at least two scholarly sources, be sure to use one multimedia source in creating your classroom activity.

Include the following in your activity:

1. Describe the target audience and the standard(s) being addressed.
2. Analyze the typological and functional approaches to English second language acquisition.
3. Describe in detail the activity including pre-teaching and formative assessment.

The paper should be two to three pages, not including the title and reference page, and formatted according the APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.  Use at least two scholarly references and multimedia resource.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.