A_Chapter+6

=Levels of Language Acquisition= - How the Four Language Domains develop in ELLs - Common misconceptions - Conclusion

July 12 (Tim Conrad): The general rule of thumb would be that the more written or academic aspects of a language develop later and with more complexity, including I think in many aspects reading, especially reading that is not simplified. When we're reading in our second or foreign language, we're often compelled to consult a dictionary.


 * Sn-Smith Chapter 6 **
 * In this chapter, I found it interesting that listening and reading are developed more in the early level. Later, when the appropriate time arrives, speaking and writing skills will develop. I had always thought speaking and listening developed before reading and writing. As I give it more thought, it does make sense that listening and reading develop earlier than speaking and writing. Listening and reading do not require creating language product; however, speaking and writing would require more language skills to create language product. Most importantly, it is good to know which skills develop earlier than others, but a teacher should not exclude any of the four skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—when teaching; students should be taught all four skills at the same time when learning a second language. **