Cognitive aspects of second

language acquisition
Compiled by :
Elin Rosmawati 41032122191053
Nurul Fadilah R 41032122191041
 2

Table of content
1. Introduction
2. Paradigms in cognitive SLA
3. The representation of L2 knowledge
4. Attention
5. Cognitive theories of L2 acquisition
6. Systems are adaptable
7. Unstable systems
8. Researching cognitive processes in SLA
 3

1. Introduction
✖ cognitive SLS draws extensively on cognitive psychology to
investigate the internal mechanism and process involved in the
representation of l2 knowledge

✖ cognitive SLA, is that branch of SLA that examines the mental

process involved in the acquisition of a second language
 4

2. PARADIGMS IN COGNITIVE SLA

Within cognitive sla it is possible to distinguish two distinct paradigms :

✖ Symbolism , symbolist accounts seek to explain acquisition in terms of a set of abstract constructs ,
and the relationships between these constructs. Examples of psycholinguistic are, input,
comprehension, noticing, working memory, intake, acquisition, and output.

✖ Connectionism, in connectionist accounts, language is reprersented not in terms of symbols and rules,
but as associations of varying strengths, derived from elements encountered in the input
 5

3. The representation of l2 knowledge

There are two types of linguistic knowledge, implicit and explicit knowledge. Implicit knowledge is the type
of knowledge that is acquired naturally during L1 acquisition and is needed for fluent communication.

✖ Representation in information-processing models

The information- processing model that has proved most influential in SLA is Adaptive Control of Thought

✖ Representation in Universal Grammar

Universal grammar was a term coined by Chomsky (1981) to refer the abstract knowledge of language
which children are claimed to bring to the task of learning their native language and which constrains the
shape of the particular grammar they are trying to learn
 6

✖ Representation in connectionism
Connectionist accounts of language representation treat implicit and explicit knowledge as disassociated. An
implication of this dissociation for SLA is that L2 learners will differ in the type of knowledge they acquire
depending on their learning experiences.

✖ Representation of two languages

It is difficult for learners to establish the representation of a new language. First, issue is whether the two
languages are stored separately or together. The forms and meanings of words in the two languages are
stored and accessed separately. second issue concern the effect of the L1 on the development of L2
representation.
 7

4. attention
✖ attention is a complex construct. It involves both detection the registration of attributes of a stimulus
and what Robinson calls rehearsal. Detection involves short-term memory and may not lead to
rehearsal. Rehearsal allows for connection to be made between what has been registered and existing
L2 knowledge.
✖ Attention can lead to changes in both implicit and explicit knowledge sytems
✖ Attention is involuntary, it happens without any intention on the part of the learner, but can also be
voluntary, learners can consciously select to attend
✖ In case of involuntary attention, input frequency positive evidence drives attention but learners natural
processing tendencies and blocking effect of the L1 can prevent detection occurring.
 8

5. Cognitive theories of L2 acquisition

Implicit and explicit L2 Skill-learning theory

learning

Complex adaptive
systems and L2 Processability
acquisition Theory
 9

Implicit and explicit l2 learning Skill-learning theory

Implicit learning can occur without Draws on the distinction between declarative
awareness. Explicit learning always and procedural knowledge and between
involves awareness. controlled and automatic processes

DeKeyser (2007) defined practice as ‘specific

activities in the second language, engaged in
systematically, deliberately, with the goals of
developing knowledge of and skills in the
second language’

Processability Theory
Pienemann (2005: 13) put it ‘it is
hypothesized that processing devices will
be acquired in their sequence of activation
in the production process’.
10
Complex adaptive systems and L2
acquisition
L2 systems are complex
Complexity theory aims to account for how
the interacting parts of a complex system give
rise to the system’s collective behaviour and
how such a system simultaneously interacts
with its environment.
 11

6. Systems are adaptable

A good example of a system’s adaptability is Dörnyei and Ottos’ (1998) process

model of motivation. L2 learners’ motivation undergoes constant change in
response to a variety of influences.
 12

7. Unstable systems

The essence of a system is that its parts are constituted in such a way that the
behaviour that results from the system is systematic. However, as complex
adaptable system theories make clear, much of the behaviour that results from the
system is non-systematic and chaotic.
 13

8. Researching cognitive processes in SLA

Modelling L2 Neuropsychological Eye-tracking
acquisition research
✖ Eye-tracking machines
✖ Computer models ✖ Neuropsychological SLA have been used to
built to simulate aims to identify the investigate the cognitive
what occurs neurological mechanisms and processes involved in
during actual circuits in the brain attending to visual
learning tasks information.
✖ Two different approaches can
be distinguished:
neurolinguistic studies and
neurobiological studies

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
EDIT IN GOOGLE SLIDES
Click on the button under the presentation
preview that says "Use as Google Slides
Theme".
You will get a copy of this document on
your Google Drive and will be able to edit,
add or delete slides.
You have to be signed in to your Google
account.
14
EDIT IN POWERPOINT®
Click on the button under the presentation
preview that says "Download as PowerPoint
template". You will get a .pptx file that you
can edit in PowerPoint.
Remember to download and install the fonts
used in this presentation (you’ll find the links
to the font files needed in the
Presentation design slide)
 15

Hello!
I am Jayden Smith
I am here because I love to give presentations.

You can find me at:

@username
 16

1.
Transition headline
Let’s start with the first set of slides
 17

BIG
CONCEPT
Bring the attention of your audience over a key
concept using icons or illustrations
 18

You can also split your content

White
Is the color of milk and fresh
snow, the color produced by
the combination of all the
colors of the visible spectrum.
Black
Is the color of ebony and of
outer space. It has been the
symbolic color of elegance,
solemnity and authority.
 19

In two or three columns

Yellow Blue Red
Is the color of gold, Is the colour of the Is the color of blood,
butter and ripe clear sky and the deep and because of this it
lemons. In the sea. It is located has historically been
spectrum of visible between violet and associated with
light, yellow is found green on the optical sacrifice, danger and
between green and spectrum. courage.
orange.
 20

A picture is worth a thousand words

A complex idea can be conveyed with just a single still image, namely making it
possible to absorb large amounts of data quickly.
 21

Use charts to explain your ideas

White Gray Black

 22

Or use diagrams to explain complex ideas

Lorem ipsum
tempus

Lorem ipsum congue

tempus
 23

And tables to compare data

A B C

Yellow 10 20 7

Blue 30 15 10

Orange 5 24 16
 24

Maps

our
office
89,526,1 25

24
Whoa! That’s a big number, aren’t you
proud?
 26

89,526,124$
That’s a lot of money

185,244 users
And a lot of users

100%
Total success!

Let’s review some concepts
Yellow
Is the color of gold, butter and
ripe lemons. In the spectrum of
visible light, yellow is found
between green and orange.
Yellow
Is the color of gold, butter and
ripe lemons. In the spectrum of
visible light, yellow is found
between green and orange.
Blue
Is the colour of the clear sky and
the deep sea. It is located between
violet and green on the optical
spectrum.
Blue
Is the colour of the clear sky and
the deep sea. It is located between
violet and green on the optical
spectrum.
27
Red
Is the color of blood, and because
of this it has historically been
associated with sacrifice, danger
and courage.
Red
Is the color of blood, and because
of this it has historically been
associated with sacrifice, danger
and courage.
 28

Thanks!
Any questions?
You can find me at:
@username
user@mail.me
 29

Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and released these
awesome resources for free:
✖ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
✖ Photographs by Unsplash
 30

Presentation design
This presentations uses the following typographies and colors:
✖ Titles: Amatic SC
✖ Body copy: Merriweather
You can download the fonts on these pages:
https://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/amatic
https://www.fontsquirrel.com/fonts/merriweather

✖ Light gray #f5f6f7

✖ Dark gray #95a5a6
✖ Navy #2c3e50
✖ Salmon #f55d4b

You don’t need to keep this slide in your presentation. It’s only here to serve you as a design guide if you need to create
new slides or download the fonts to edit the presentation in PowerPoint®
 2.
Extra Resources
For Business Plans, Marketing Plans, Project Proposals, Lessons, etc