1. Second Language Acquisition Theory Barry McLaughlin’sAttention-Processing Model For Forl 8250 Fall 2011 By Barbara Williams

2. About Barry McLaughlin • PhD - Harvard, 1966 • Professor Emeritus in Cognitive Psychology at University of California, Santa Cruz • Research interests: second language acquisition in children and adults • Served as consultant on bilingual education for California’s Department of Education • Served as director of the National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning • Noted publications: • Second-language acquisition in childhood. Volume 1: Preschool children(1984) • Second-language acquisition in childhood. Volume 2: School-age children(1985) • Theories of second-language learning(1987).

3. Attention-Processing Model • Based on Cognitive Theory • Second language learning is a mental process • Assumes a hierarchy of complexity of cognitive skills • Structured practice leads to automatization and integration of linguistic patterns

4. Attention-Processing Model • McLaughlin's assumptions • Second language learning is a skill • Second language learning requires “automatization of component sub-skills” • Humans have a limited capacity to manage controlled processes • Second language processing skills become more efficient via automatization

5. Attention-Processing Model InformationProcessing

6. Practical Applications of McLaughlin’s Attention-Processing Model From Brown 1994: 285

7. References • Schulz, R. A. (1991). Second Language Acquisition Theories and Teaching Practice: How Do They Fit?. Modern Language Journal, 75(1), 17-26. • Doughty, C., & Long, M. H. (2003). The handbook of second language acquisition / edited by Catherine J. Doughty and Michael H. Long. Malden, MA : Blackwell Pub., 2003. • Nagle, Stephen J., & Sanders, Sara L. (1986). Comprehension Theory and Second Language Pedagogy. TESOL Quarterly, 20(1), 9-26. • Brown, H. (1994). Principles of language learning and teaching / H. Douglas Brown. Englewood Cliffs, NJ : Prentice Hall Regents, c1994.