🎓 UNIT 4 – Implications for Teaching and Learning a Second Language

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 Understanding how languages are acquired helps teachers make informed decisions in the classroom. This unit bridges theory and practice, showing how SLA insights can shape effective, inclusive, and engaging language instruction.


UNIT 4.1 Pedagogical Implications

Key ideas:

  • Teachers should understand how learners acquire and process language differently.
  • Instruction must be adapted to learners’ age, motivation, and learning styles.
  • Effective teaching includes comprehensible input, interaction, and feedback.

 🧩 Activity idea: https://es.educaplay.com/recursos-educativos/26785316-krashen_s_input_hypothesis_matching_core_ideas.html


UNIT 4.2 Practical Applications

Tips for Teachers:

  • Use authentic materials (menus, videos, songs) to connect language with real life.
  • Encourage output through role plays, storytelling, and group projects.
  • Provide corrective feedback that is supportive and constructive.
Learner Error & Feedback Strategy Table

Common Learner Error

Example

Suggested Feedback Strategy

Teacher Response Example

Incorrect verb tense

She go to school yesterday.

Recasting

Ah, she went to school yesterday.

Subject-verb agreement

He eat breakfast every day.

Clarification request

Did you mean “He eats breakfast every day?”

Misuse of prepositions

I’m good in math.

Metalinguistic feedback

We usually say “good at math.”

Word order in questions

You are coming tomorrow?

Elicitation

Can you try that again as a question?

Article omission

I saw dog in park.

Repetition with emphasis

You saw a dog in the park?

Pronunciation issues

Tree instead of three

Repetition and modeling

Let’s say it together: three.

Overgeneralization of rules

He goed to the store.

Explicit correction

We say “went,” not “goed.” It’s an irregular verb.


UNIT 4.3 Interactive Learning

Engagement strategies:

  • Integrate games, quizzes, and videos to make learning fun and memorable.
  • Use crosswords for vocabulary, Kahoots for review, and audio reflections for fluency.

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