Language Development Webquest

The Process Section is where you are given specific links and documents to explore and learn from in this quest. 

Before beginning the assignments, it is very important to be familiar with several terms:

L1:First language/ native language

L2: Second language/ language the person is trying to learn

ESL: English as a Second Language

ELL: English Language Learners

Phonemes: smallest units of sound

Phonology: the study of sound

Morphemes: smallest units of words

Morphology: the study of word formation

Semantics: study of word meanings. 

NOTE 1: Right click on the links and open them in a new tab, so you are able to keep the webquest page open as well as the linked page open. 

NOTE 2: Take notes as you read through these links, so you are not scrambling to remember and to put information together

Process 1: What is language?  Use the questions from Task 1 to assist

• Review Module 3.  Connect your learning to the following:
  
• Read the language and learning power point located at the bottom of this page.  You must scroll all the way down!!
  
• Read and explore the Brain Research Presentation power point at the bottom of this page.  You must scroll all the way down!!
• PPTs are attached below. Scroll to the bottom of this page to find them, please download them and read.  

Process 2: What is First Language Development?  Use the questions from Task 2 to assist

• Stages of First Language Acquisition Slideshare:  http://www.slideshare.net/kiprus/stages-of-acquisition-of-first-language
• Stages of First Language Acquisition Science Article: http://www.decodedscience.com/first-language-acquisition-development-theories-nature-vs-nurture/7247

Process 3: Second Language Acquisitionand the Stages of Development Use the questions from Task 3 to assist

Review the following links in regards to second language acquisition and the stages of development. You may have to do a bit of outside research to answer all of the questions in Task 3. 

• https://sites.google.com/a/sheffield.ac.uk/all-about-linguistics/branches/language-acquisition/second-language-acquisition
  

•  Similarities and differences

•  Stages of second language acquisition 

• https://choiceliteracy.com/article/understanding-the-silent-period-with-english-language-learners/?print=true 
  

• http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/language_acquisiti_vs_language_02033.php

  
  

Process 4:  What does it mean to be bilingual? Use the questions from Task 4 to assist

• http://www.npr.org/2011/04/04/135043787/being-bilingual-may-boost-your-brain-power
• http://theconversation.com/how-the-language-you-speak-changes-your-view-of-the-world-40721 
• http://chicagoinno.streetwise.co/2015/05/15/uchicago-language-researchers-find-bilingual-kids-have-advantage/  

After reading these links and doing some research on your own, do you think being bilingual is a help or hindrance?  

Process 5:  What is your theory of human language development? Use questions in Task 5 to assist

• Review and Read the Theories of Human Language development pdf. Choose only 1 to defend as it relates to your research above! 
• You must scroll all the way down this page to get to this PDF.
  
  

Process 6: Relating all of this information to yourself & others. Use Task 6 to assist you! 

• Review the Essential Questions asked:  How does studying what language is in greater depth and detail impact my role in a school wide setting? Am I a "provider" of language or Is language and the study of language not my concern? What key pieces of information should others in my profession know and be able to comprehend with respect to first and second language development and acquisition?
  
• Review Task 6
  

Click on the Project Format Tab next!