INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLINGUISTICS

Name: Siska Saputri

NIM: 20018033
Children vs. adults in second-language learning
Summary week 8
A. Children are better: a common belief
Factors involved in second-language acquisition focused on two categories that are
psychological and social.
1. Basic Psychological Factors Affecting Second-Language Learning
- Intellectual processing: explication and induction
Explication
Explication is the rules and structures of the second language are explained to the
learner in the first language, so that the learner can understand, learn and apply the
rules in the second language.
Why a language cannot be learned entirely through explication is because there is
no way a second language can be learned entirely through explanation because not all
the rules of a language have been discovered and written down.
Explication is rarely applicable to young children because they learn language
independently and understand mother tongue well by the age of 4-5 years without
going through explication. Parents never explain to their children when learning
language such as tenses or correct language structure.
Teaching simple and complex rules because in some cases such as simple rule
teaching is the case where an adult Korean speaker learning English would be told
that there is a constituent order of Subject + Verb + Object (Korean has S-O-V)
explication can even be a faster way of learning than induction. Robinson (1996), for
example, found that explication improved learning of simple Subject-Description
rules.
Induction
Induction plays a role in second-language learning by drawing general conclusions
about the language based on specific language use instances and exposure. Learners
observe how native speakers use the language in different contexts, and from these
 observations, they induce rules, patterns, and cultural norms associated with the
language. For instance, by listening to conversations, learners can induce the
appropriate use of idiomatic expressions, intonation, or contextual appropriateness.
- Memory
Memory plays a crucial role in the process of learning a second language, impacting
various aspects such as vocabulary learning, syntax learning, and children's memory
abilities.
Vocabulary Learning and Rote Memory:
 Vocabulary acquisition in a second language often relies on memory,
particularly rote memory. Learners need to memorize and recall words, their
meanings, and how to use them in context.
 Techniques like flashcards, repetition, and memorization exercises are
common strategies for enhancing vocabulary retention.
 Long-term memory is essential for retaining vocabulary, and mnemonic
devices can help learners store and recall words effectively.
Syntax Learning and Episodic Memory:

o Syntax, the structure and rules governing sentence construction, also relies on
memory. Language learners need to remember the order and arrangement of
words in sentences.
o Episodic memory, which involves recalling specific events or experiences, can be
employed to remember sentences or conversations encountered during the
language learning process.
o Practice through listening and speaking activities helps reinforce syntactic
structures in memory.

Children's Memory Ability:

o Children often display impressive language learning abilities due to their

malleable and efficient memory systems.
o Children's brains are highly adaptable and can acquire language skills through
exposure and interaction with their environment.
o Episodic memory is instrumental in children's language development, as they
store and recall various linguistic and social contexts they experience.