The behaviorist theory of language acquisition states that language is learned through imitation, reinforcement, and practice with other human role models in one's environment. Adults provide stimuli and rewards that shape a child's language behavior based on the language they hear. Strengths of this theory include its applicability to ESL settings where learners depend on role models, though it fails to fully account for second language acquisition processes.

1. THEORY
Behaviorist
by ana kristina n. abdala
ARLYN R. JAVIER
JOIE B. MELITANTE
ele 804 studies in second language acquisition

2. Behaviorist Theory according to the article of
Lightbown & Spada ( 2013 ) states that
language acquisition is learned from other
human role models through the process of
imitation, rewards and practice.
Behaviorist
THEORY

3. Adults as role models in an infant’s environment
provide the stimuli and rewards. According to this
view, the quality and quantity of the language the
child hears, as well as the consistency of the
reinforcement offered by others in the environment,
would shape the child's language behavior.
Behaviorist
THEORY

4. STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Stimulus-Response Theory
Dependent to learning
environment
Applicable to ESL setting
Learners depend on their role
models
WEAKNESSES
Strengths and

5. STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES
Gave birth to Contrastive
Analysis/Error Analysis
failed to describe the language
produced by Second Language
learners in terms of their perspective
to grammatical morphemes or
specific language structures
acquisition.
WEAKNESSES
Strengths and

6. Japanese Finnish Brazilian
memorizing complex
sentences was very
hard yet rewarding in
terms of improving
speaking in English
memorizing lines
from American TV
shows repeatedly
the habit of
repeating basic and
important words in
English
ON ESL SETTING
Behaviorist Theory
Manezes (2013) includes evidence of utilizing Behaviorism
Theory to language learners from Japan, Finland and Brazil.

7. Thank you.