For a long time, language learning was understood through behaviorist principles, focusing on stimulus and response. However, the late 1960s and early 1970s witnessed a paradigm shift. Cognitive scientists began to explore the inner workings of the mind, propelling language studies into a serious discipline. This era marked the rise of the cognitive approach, transforming how we perceive language acquisition.
Understanding the “Black Box”
The cognitive approach sought to understand the “impenetrable black box” – the human mind. Researchers started investigating how the brain processes language, how linguistic structures are acquired, and how knowledge is stored and retrieved. Universities established linguistics and language departments, investing in research to unravel these mysteries.
The Rule-Based Learner: A Computer Analogy
One perspective from this era, humorously portrayed in the provided text, envisioned the learner as a computer. The idea was that if we could identify all the rules of a language, we could program a computer – or a person – to speak it fluently. Errors were seen as deviations from these rules, and the solution was to provide explicit corrective feedback, drilling the rules until mastery was achieved.
The Quest for Comprehensive Knowledge
This approach emphasized the importance of explicit knowledge of grammar rules. Proponents believed that learners needed to be aware of the intricate details of language, such as the multiple meanings of a word or the numerous rules governing punctuation. The more information and corrective feedback given to the learner, the better they would become.
Limitations and Legacy
While the cognitive approach made valuable contributions to our understanding of language learning, its rule-based, computer-like model has limitations. Language learning is a much more dynamic and complex process than simply memorizing and applying rules. However, the cognitive revolution undeniably placed language learning on the academic map, sparking further research and shaping subsequent approaches to language teaching and learning.
You’re a smart Banana! *sticks gold star on your forehead*
Teacher Lizzy 
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