Contents
I.
Introduction: The Relationship of Theory to Practice
1
A.
Three Approaches to Method
2
1.
Theory of second language acquisition
2
2.
Applied linguistics research
3
3.
Ideas and intuitions from experience
3
B.
Interactions Among Approaches to Practice
4
C.
What the Three Approaches Have to Say About Method
6
D.
Goals of This Book: to reintroduce teachers to theory and hopefully to gain their confidence again
7
Notes
8
II.
Second Language Acquisition Theory
9
A.
Five Hypotheses About Second Language Acquisition
10
1.
The acquisition-learning distinction
10
2.
The natural order hypothesis
12
(a)
Transitional forms
14
3.
The Monitor hypothesis
15
(a)
Individual variation in Monitor use
18
4.
The input hypothesis
20
(a)
Statement of the hypothesis
20
(b)
Evidence supporting the hypothesis
22
5.
The Affective Filter hypothesis
30
B.
The Causative Variable in Second Language Acquisition
32
1.
The causative variables
32
2.
Language teaching: does it help?
33
(a)
When language teaching helps
34
(b)
When language teaching does not help
35
3.
Exposure variables
37
4.
Age
43
5.
Acculturation
45
III.
Providing Input for Acquisition
57
A.
The Potential of the Second Language Classroom
58
B.
Limitations of the Classroom
59
C.
The Role of Output
60
1.
"Conversation" and language acquisition
61
2.
Output and learning
61
iii