Chapter 11 Biolinguistics and its impact on language teaching: Achievements and prospects
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Pablo Cano López
Abstract
The main purpose of this chapter is to contrast two different fields of knowledge: biolinguistics and language teaching. The aim is to find points of contact between the two, since the distance at which they are usually situated does not prevent them from having areas of common interest. In order to carry out this task, we will first of all look at the past of both disciplines. A historical overview will be made with the aim of highlighting those concepts of a theoretical or practical nature that reflect the existence of possible connections. In this section, the Chomskyan concept of competence will be of particular relevance, as will the usual classifications of the different language skills. In the second part of the paper the focus will be on the present and future of the disciplines. It will look at which lines of research are already being pursued at present and which show the greatest potential for future projection. It will highlight the influence that certain contributions from biolinguistics may have on one of the central themes of language teaching: reading and writing methods applied in the classroom. The aim is to recognise the influence that biolinguistics already has on language teaching, but also to demonstrate the need for these connections to be increased.
Abstract
The main purpose of this chapter is to contrast two different fields of knowledge: biolinguistics and language teaching. The aim is to find points of contact between the two, since the distance at which they are usually situated does not prevent them from having areas of common interest. In order to carry out this task, we will first of all look at the past of both disciplines. A historical overview will be made with the aim of highlighting those concepts of a theoretical or practical nature that reflect the existence of possible connections. In this section, the Chomskyan concept of competence will be of particular relevance, as will the usual classifications of the different language skills. In the second part of the paper the focus will be on the present and future of the disciplines. It will look at which lines of research are already being pursued at present and which show the greatest potential for future projection. It will highlight the influence that certain contributions from biolinguistics may have on one of the central themes of language teaching: reading and writing methods applied in the classroom. The aim is to recognise the influence that biolinguistics already has on language teaching, but also to demonstrate the need for these connections to be increased.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
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Section I: The biolinguistic enterprise
- Chapter 1 A short history of biolinguistics 19
- Chapter 2 Biolinguistics in the context of linguistics 45
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Section II: The quest for interdisciplinarity and the challenges of technification
- Chapter 3 The naturalistic tradition of biolinguistics and the study of child phonology 91
- Chapter 4 Psycholinguistics and biolinguistics 119
- Chapter 5 New techniques in neurolinguistics 159
- Chapter 6 The biological basis of language: insights from genetic studies of developmental language disorders 177
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Section III: Theorizing biolinguistics
- Chapter 7 The nature of language and the structure of reality 207
- Chapter 8 Biolinguistics and human language evolution: On symbolism, language, and language evolution 237
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Section IV: Going practical: The applicability of biolinguistics findings
- Chapter 9 Language disorders through the lens of biolinguistics 279
- Chapter 10 Approaching language and aging from a biolinguistic perspective 307
- Chapter 11 Biolinguistics and its impact on language teaching: Achievements and prospects 331
- Chapter 12 Biocultural evolution and human language diversity 359
- Index 381
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- Introduction 1
-
Section I: The biolinguistic enterprise
- Chapter 1 A short history of biolinguistics 19
- Chapter 2 Biolinguistics in the context of linguistics 45
-
Section II: The quest for interdisciplinarity and the challenges of technification
- Chapter 3 The naturalistic tradition of biolinguistics and the study of child phonology 91
- Chapter 4 Psycholinguistics and biolinguistics 119
- Chapter 5 New techniques in neurolinguistics 159
- Chapter 6 The biological basis of language: insights from genetic studies of developmental language disorders 177
-
Section III: Theorizing biolinguistics
- Chapter 7 The nature of language and the structure of reality 207
- Chapter 8 Biolinguistics and human language evolution: On symbolism, language, and language evolution 237
-
Section IV: Going practical: The applicability of biolinguistics findings
- Chapter 9 Language disorders through the lens of biolinguistics 279
- Chapter 10 Approaching language and aging from a biolinguistic perspective 307
- Chapter 11 Biolinguistics and its impact on language teaching: Achievements and prospects 331
- Chapter 12 Biocultural evolution and human language diversity 359
- Index 381
