TASK 1

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. How far is L2 different from FL? Give examples.

Answer

L2 (second language) and FL (foreign language) are different in several ways.

Here are some examples:

1. Context of learning: L2 is learned in a context where the language is

spoken as a primary or secondary language, while FL is learned in a
context where the language is not spoken as a primary or secondary
language.
2. Exposure to the language: L2 learners have more exposure to the
language they are learning than FL learners. For example, an L2 learner of
English living in an English-speaking country will have more exposure to
English than an FL learner of English living in a non-English speaking
country.
3. Motivation: L2 learners are often motivated to learn the language for
practical reasons such as work or education, while FL learners may be
motivated by personal interest or curiosity.
4. Language proficiency: L2 learners tend to achieve higher levels of
proficiency in the language they are learning compared to FL learners due
to increased exposure and motivation.
5. Pronunciation: L2 learners may have an accent influenced by their first
language, while FL learners may have a more neutral accent since they do
not have a first language influence.
6. Cultural knowledge: L2 learners may already have some cultural
knowledge related to the language they are learning, while FL learners
may need to learn about the culture along with the language.

Overall, while there are similarities between L2 and FL learning, there are
also significant differences that can impact how these languages are learned
and used
2. Psychological theories have produced some principles that
are indispensable in TEFL. Discuss this statement in detail
with examples from your field experience.

Answer

Psychological theories have contributed significantly to the field of Teaching

English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) by providing principles that are
essential for effective teaching. These principles help teachers understand
how students learn, what motivates them, and how to create a conducive
learning environment. In this essay, I will discuss some of the psychological
theories that have produced indispensable principles in TEFL and provide
examples from my field experience.

One of the most influential psychological theories in TEFL is behaviorism.

Behaviorism emphasizes the role of external stimuli in shaping behavior and
learning. According to this theory, learning occurs through reinforcement and
punishment. In TEFL, behaviorism has led to the development of principles
such as positive reinforcement, shaping, and extinction.

Positive reinforcement involves rewarding students for good behavior or

performance. For example, praising a student who has answered a question
correctly can motivate them to participate more actively in class. Shaping
involves breaking down complex tasks into smaller steps and reinforcing
each step until the desired behavior is achieved. For instance, when teaching
writing skills, teachers can start by teaching basic sentence structures
before moving on to more complex ones. Extinction involves withholding
reinforcement for undesirable behaviors until they disappear. For example,
ignoring a student who disrupts class can discourage them from repeating
the behavior.
Another important psychological theory in TEFL is constructivism.
Constructivism emphasizes the role of learners' prior knowledge and
experiences in shaping their understanding of new information. According to
this theory, learners construct their own knowledge through active
engagement with new information.

In TEFL, constructivism has led to the development of principles such as

scaffolding and inquiry-based learning. Scaffolding involves providing
support for learners as they engage with new information or tasks. For
example, when teaching vocabulary words, teachers can provide visual aids
or context clues to help students understand the meaning of each word.

Inquiry-based learning involves encouraging students to ask questions and

explore topics on their own rather than simply receiving information from the
teacher. For example, when teaching a lesson on environmental issues,
teachers can ask students to research and present their findings on a
specific topic related to the lesson.

In conclusion, psychological theories have produced indispensable principles

in TEFL that help teachers create effective learning environments and
facilitate student learning. Behaviorism has led to principles such as positive
reinforcement, shaping, and extinction, while constructivism has led to
principles such as scaffolding and inquiry-based learning. These principles
have been instrumental in my field experience as a TEFL teacher and have
helped me create engaging lessons that promote active student participation
and learning.

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‫حنان أشرف محمد عبد الرحمن‬ :‫الاسم‬

‫الثانية‬ :‫المجموعة‬