How is language learning viewed in cognitive-code theory?
As we have already stated in chapter 1, before 1960 behavioristic psychology and structural linguistics were the dominant ideas in these areas. After 1960 cognitive code theory took the place of behaviourism under the rationalist philosophy. It believes in meaningful learning. The new items should be connected to the old ones in the process of learning.
What is the main beliefs of cognitive-code theory about human learning in general and language learning specifically?
In accordance with this theory language learning is a complicated cognitive skill. It involves an internal representations. This internal knowledge regulate and guide performance.
What is the teacher’s principal role in Cognitive-Code Theory?
Teachers should make the learning process meaningful for the students. They should help students to discover strategies for organizing his knowledge into meaningful units.
Why is Generative Transformational Grammar called nativist?
On the basis of rationalist philosophy, Generative Transformational Grammar was formed. It says language learning is an innately determined process so it is sometimes called nativist theory.

What is the philosophical basis of Generative Transformational Grammar?
It believes that human infants are born with language learning ability and this ability just belongs to human being ( it is species-specific).

What is Language Acquisition Device composed of?
Chomsky insisted that any child is born with an innate capacity called Language acquisition device (LAD). LAD is made of a set of rules called Universal Grammar
What are principals and parameters?
He insists that the speaker of any language innately knows a set of principles that apply to all languages, and a set of parameters that vary from language to language.
According to Chomsky how do human children learn their mother tongue?
Children need to get linguistic input. They use the information and samples they receive about their mother tongue to form hypothesis. Then they test these hypothesis in their utterances. They receive environmental feedbacks and they evaluate them. So a child’s language at any stage of its development is systematic.
What is Chomsky’s explanation for rejecting the idea that children’s language is an imitation of adult’s language?
He accepts that some parts of language(such as greeting) is a set of fix expressions but in other areas he insist on human child’s creativity. He believes that children are able to produce sentences they have never heard.
What are the most important differences between first and second languages acquisition?
First language acquisition is usually considered as a natural part of child’s growth. While learning of a second language is a process that usually takes place after the first language is learned completely. Child normally starts learning his mother tongue unconsciously. In second language learning some nonlinguistic factors can be influential. Factors such as: the age of the learner, the situation of learning, the motivation of the learner, the role of mother tongue.
What are the most important similarities between first and second languages acquisition?
In order to found out if there are similarities between first and second language learning, Corder faced two important questions:
Do adults learn a second language in the same way that children acquire their first?
Do children learn a second language in the same way they acquire their first?
Corder arranged some experiments. The experiments were about the usage of relative clauses and comprehension. They showed that children learning their mother tongue and adults learning second language, made the same errors.

1. How is language learning viewed in cognitive-code theory?

In accordance with this theory language learning is a complicated cognitive skill. It involves an internal representations. This internal knowledge regulate and guide performance.

2. What is the main beliefs of cognitive-code theory about human learning in general and language learning specifically?

It believes in meaningful learning. The new items should be connected to the old ones in the process of learning.

3. What is the teacher’s principal role in Cognitive-Code Theory?

Teachers should make the learning process meaningful for the students. They should help students to discover strategies for organizing his knowledge into meaningful units.

4. According to Chomsky how do human children learn their mother tongue?


Children need to get linguistic input. They use the information and samples they receive about their mother tongue to form hypothesis. Then they test these hypothesis in their utterances. They receive environmental feedbacks and they evaluate them. So a child’s language at any stage of its development is systematic.