The Second Language Acquisition Tradition

This methodological tradition suggests that there are two distinct mental processes operating in second language development:
1-acquisition process: Similar to the process a child uses in acquiring its first language. It is necessary a meaningful interaction in the target language and this procedure is subconscious.
2-learning process: Is conscious “…our formal knowledge of the second language, our conscious learning may be used to alter the output of the acquired system...” (Krashen 1981:1)
If second language acquisition works similar as first language acquisition, then all second language learners should develop, have the same results. But this doesn’t occur because of “affective filter”. Examples anxious were the acquisition process could be blocked.

There are two models based in Second Language Acquisition (SLA):
1-The Natural Approach: The most important element is to provide comprehensible input. The activities are related to affective-humanistic where it concentrates on the meanings and not in the forms and also attempts to lower the affective filter.
2- The Total Physical Response: It focuses on two characteristics of first language acquisition. First is that a child gets a huge amount of comprehensible input before he starts to speak and second that there is a lot of physical manipulation and action language with early input, example “throw the ball to Daddy”. Teachers should provide input to the learners through imperatives (Simon says), also we should follow the “here and now” principle and finally at the beginning of second language instruction we should emphasis more in the comprehension than in the production.

Language Skills Reflection

I think that listening is my most developed skill in English, I can understand it well and of course there are times that is more difficult but you always can manage it, at least know what they are talking about, although you can miss some words. The fact that most of the movies or TV programs are in English gives you the chance to practice your hearing. That is why I try not to put subtitles when I am watching a movie because you usually read instead of listening.
My writing skill is definitely my weakest one, is the hardest one for me. I think that in school they didn’t taught me enough grammar or maybe when I finished school I didn’t practice it again so I forgot everything, I don’t know. I used to practice reading skills by reading a book, speaking when I was travelling, listening as I said before by watching TV but writing never, I wish I had. The best way improving this skill is writing and a lot, in a computer or a notebook and also reviewing grammar. Reading books in English can help you as well because you are learning new vocabulary and you are getting familiar with when to use some words,verbs ext...

My experience with English

My first contact with English was when I was 4 years old and it was because of my Dad’s job we had to move to Virginia Beach, United States. We lived there for about 2 years. It was very strange, because my big brothers used to speak in Spanish, my sister half English half Spanish, my parents also, it was that confusing that my little brother (he was 2 months old) he didn’t say a word for 2 years! Then I studied in a British school in Vina del Mar until I was 14 years old, my Dad was transfer now to London, we stood there 1 year. I for got to say, he used to work in the Navy. Also when I was in the University I worked in a ski resort in Colorado for 4 months and a few years ago I travel to New Zealand and Australia for 5 months. What else, last year I had to teach 3 grade students English (a couple of months) and... here I am.