Peter Horton - Educator

Unit 2 Input-Output and Innate Learning Theories

Innate Learning

Innate learning is the inherent ability or knowledge that organisms are born with, which doesn’t rely on external instruction or experience. Animals, for instance, naturally know how to engage in behaviors such as migration and mating rituals, which are embedded in their genetic makeup. In humans, this form of learning is evident in reflexive responses and some elements of language development. Recognizing the significance of innate learning is crucial as it underscores the instinctual abilities and natural skills that influence behavior and the learning process. It also provides insight into the biological underpinnings of learning, suggesting that specific competencies or information are pre-installed in our genetic code.

The Input and Output theory

The Input and Output theory in language education is not just a theoretical concept, but a practical approach that can significantly enhance your language learning journey. It stresses the necessity of absorbing language (input) by listening and reading and employing language (output) by speaking and writing. This concept posits that to effectively learn a language, individuals must be immersed in it (input) and engage in its active use (output). The input acts as the foundational material for learning, while the output engages learners in active processing and application of the language, leading to enhanced understanding and memory. So, the next time you’re learning a new language, remember to balance your input and output activities for optimal results. The method you’ve described, involving students reading aloud, engaging in shadow reading, and copying texts, is not just a theoretical approach, but a strategy that has yielded real results. It merges input activities, like hearing and reading the language, with output practices, such as speaking and writing it. This combination can boost language proficiency. The experiences of your students, who began to dream and think in English, indicate that they were assimilating the language effectively. So, the next time you’re wondering about the effectiveness of a balanced mix of input and output exercises, remember these students’ success stories.

Prescriptive and Descriptive

Approaches to Language Learning   How Reading-Out-Loud and Copying Texts Can Enhance Language Skills for my English Language and ESL students Introduction Language learning is a complex and dynamic process that involves various methods and strategies. Two common approaches to language learning are the prescriptive and the descriptive approaches. The prescriptive approach, often associated with formal and academic contexts, empowers students by establishing rules for the “correct” use of language. On the other hand, the descriptive approach, which focuses on how language is utilized by its speakers, encourages students to explore and adapt to different. language contexts. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages and can be used for different purposes and contexts. In this document, I will explain the benefits of using both methods for teaching my English language students and how reading out loud and copying texts can help them improve their language skills. The Prescriptive Approach The prescriptive approach to language learning is often linked with formal and academic contexts, where accuracy and standardization are essential. This approach dictates specific patterns and structures, instructing learners on the proper ways to speak and write to maintain established grammatical conventions. Some of the benefits of using the prescriptive approach for teaching students are:

• It helps them develop a solid grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary foundation, which are essential for effective communication and academic success.
• It exposes them to the rules and norms of the English language, which can help them avoid common errors and misunderstandings.
• It prepares them for standardized tests and assessments, which often require high accuracy and conformity to the language standards.
• It fosters a sense of discipline and rigor, motivating them to improve their language skills and achieve their learning goals.

The Descriptive Approach The descriptive approach to language learning focuses on how language is utilized by its speakers across different contexts, cultures, and situations. It documents and analyzes language without judging its correctness, embracing the natural evolution of language and its variations. Some of the benefits of using the descriptive approach for teaching 5th-grade students are:

• It helps them develop a deeper understanding of the meaning and function of language beyond the surface level of grammar and vocabulary.
• It exposes them to the diversity and richness of the English language, which can help them appreciate its history, culture, and creativity.
• It prepares them for real-world communication and interaction, which often require high flexibility and adaptability to the language context.
• It fosters a sense of curiosity and exploration, inspiring them to discover new aspects of language and expand their linguistic repertoire.

Reading-Out-Loud                                              and Copying Texts

  Reading out loud and copying texts are simple and practical activities that can enhance language learning for 7th-grade students. By reading out loud, students can practice their pronunciation, intonation, stress, and fluency, as well as improve their listening and comprehension skills. By copying texts, students can reinforce their spelling, grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary and improve their writing and memory skills. Some of the benefits of reading out loud and copying texts for 20 minutes a day are:

• They can learn new vocabulary, phrases, and expressions, enriching their language use and understanding.
• They can learn grammar, word order, and sentence structure, which can enhance their language accuracy and clarity.
• They can learn capitalization, punctuation, and types of sentences, which can improve their language organization and coherence.
• They can learn phonics, speech pronunciation, and word and sentence stress, improving their language fluency and confidence.

Conclusion Language learning is a multifaceted and dynamic process that can benefit from the prescriptive and the descriptive approaches. By combining the two methods, 7th-grade students can develop a balanced and comprehensive set of language skills, which can help them communicate effectively and creatively in various contexts. Moreover, by reading out loud and copying texts for 20 minutes a day, students cannot only practice and reinforce their language skills but also discover new aspects of language, a process that can be both enjoyable and satisfying. This can help them appreciate the beauty and diversity of language even more.   One of the very best ways to build you vocabulary, grammar, language usage, writing, reading, speaking and listening is to copy. What can and do you learn from copying?

	Learning Aspect	Explanation	Example
1	Vocabulary	Copying introduces new words and their usage.	Copying: “The cacophony in the cafeteria was overwhelming.”
2	Spelling	Repetition aids in memorizing correct spelling.	Copying: “She received an invitation to the gala.”
3	Capitalization	Shows proper use of uppercase letters.	Copying: “Mount Everest is the highest Mountain on Earth.”
4	Punctuation	Demonstrates correct placement of punctuation marks.	Copying: “Can you believe it? She’s moving to Paris!”
5	Sentence Structure	Helps understand sentence composition.	Copying: “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”
6	Paragraph Structure	Teaches organization of ideas within paragraphs.	Copying: “Firstly, we must address the budget. Secondly, staffing needs our attention.”
7	Essay Structure	Illustrates the flow of an essay.	Copying: “In conclusion, renewable energy is key to our future.”
8	Types of Writing	Exposes students to narrative, persuasive, and expository styles.	Copying: “Once upon a time…” / “Therefore, we should recycle.”
9	Types of Sentences	Shows how to form simple, compound, and complex sentences.	Copying: “She ran to the store, and she bought milk.”
10	Phrases	Introduces different types of phrases like noun, verb, and prepositional.	Copying: “Running quickly, she caught the bus.”
11	Clauses	Helps distinguish between independent and dependent clauses.	Copying: “Because it rained, the game was postponed.”
12	Plot	Understanding the sequence of events in a story.	Copying: “The mystery was solved when the detective found the clue.”
13	Setting	Recognizes the time and place of a story.	Copying: “In a galaxy far, far away…”
14	Characters	Identifies character development.	Copying: “Elizabeth was a brilliant, yet misunderstood scientist.”
15	Tone	Discerns the writer’s attitude.	Copying: “His sarcastic tone was evident in his writing.”
16	Mood	Senses the emotional setting.	Copying: “The eerie silence filled the haunted house.”
17	Rising/Falling Action	Learns the buildup and resolution in a narrative.	Copying: “As the hero climbed the mountain, tension rose.”
18	Climax	Understands the peak of the story’s action.	Copying: “At that moment, the secret was revealed.”
19	Parts of Speech	Recognizes nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.	Copying: “The swiftly flowing river cut through the valley.”
20	Story Components	Identifies elements like conflict, resolution.	Copying: “The conflict began when they discovered the hidden treasure.”
21	Literary Devices	Introduces metaphors, similes, personification.	Copying: “Time is a thief that steals moments.”
22	Figures of Speech	Teaches idioms, hyperbole, and more.	Copying: “It’s raining cats and dogs.”
23	Different Types of Writing	Shows formal, informal, creative, and technical writing.	Copying: “A formal letter begins with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.”
24	Form and Structure	Teaches the organization of poems, plays, etc.	Copying: “Shakespearean sonnets have 14 lines.”
25	Plot Development	Shows how a plot unfolds.	Copying: “The plot thickened when the heir to the throne went missing.”
26	Character Arc	Traces a character’s growth or change.	Copying: “Scrooge’s character arc shows profound transformation.”
27	Theme	Identifies the underlying message or topic.	Copying: “The theme of justice pervades the novel.”
28	Point of View	Distinguishes between first, second, and third person.	Copying: “From my point of view, the Jedi are evil.”
29	Dialogue	Shows how characters speak to each other.	Copying: “Could you pass the salt?” asked Sarah.
30	Narration	Teaches the art of storytelling.	Copying: “The narrator described the scene vividly.”
31	Description	Enhances descriptive writing skills.	Copying: “The sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and pink.”
32	Exposition	Introduces background information.	Copying: “In the world of the story, dragons were common.”
33	Conflict	Identifies the main problem in the story.	Copying: “The conflict between the two families had lasted for generations.”
34	Resolution	Shows how the conflict is resolved.	Copying: “The resolution came when they signed the peace treaty.”
35	Symbolism	Teaches the use of symbols in writing.	Copying: “The dove is a symbol of peace.”
36	Irony	Introduces verbal, situational, and dramatic irony.	Copying: “The fire station burned down last night.”
37	Foreshadowing	Shows hints of what is to come in the story.	Copying: “The broken mirror foreshadowed bad luck.”
38	Imagery	Uses language to create mental images.	Copying: “The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air.”
39	Alliteration	Teaches the repetition of initial consonant sounds.	Copying: “She sells seashells by the seashore.”
40	Assonance	Shows the repetition of vowel sounds.	Copying: “The early bird catches the worm.”