Role of Homework

When (if ever) is homework appropriate for a foreign language class? How should it be used? Do you feel it is ever improperly used? Should homework be given before or after the lesson is taught? Exchange ideas with your peers and be sure to use examples to support your opinions.

Learning Theories: Learning and Teaching L2 Experience

This chapter looks at two main theoretical aspects pertaining to language acquisition: that of the Empiricists and the Rationalists. Two interesting views are: Skinner (Empiricist) a proponent of S-R psychology, supports the idea that language in humans is acquired through a conditioning process; where Chomsky (Mentalist) believes that every human by nature has a universal grammar, and that all humans have the inherent capacity to acquire a language. Through teaching, or your own learning experience, are you able to identify with either of these different approaches, and why?

In your experience with study abroad, which theoretical framework (if any) did you find most pertinent to your teaching and learning while in a foreign country? What factors outside of the classroom do you believe assist and/or impede with the acquisition of a second language? Give examples.