Date of Award
4-8-2012
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Terri Bonebright (Advisor)
Abstract
This thesis investigates the history of studies performed regarding foreign language pedagogy in an attempt to investigate how well the information gained from these studies influences the teaching practices that are in use. The first half looks at earlier studies which focused on the specific teaching methods employed in the language classroom. While the Immersion method is the only method displaying significant benefits in comparison to the others, this method is rarely used in the public school domain for political reasons such as funding and alternate agendas. With inconclusive evidence favoring any other method, research switched focus to the individual learner and the psychological aspects of learning that influence the student. The analysis of the studies determines that of the methods employed the immersion method provides the best academic results in regard to vocabulary retention, but the motivation and mentality of the individual learner have a greater effect on learning than the specific method of teaching employed.
Recommended Citation
Pilli, Alyssa '12, "The History of Foreign Language Pedagogy: From Methodology to Psychology" (2012). Honor Scholar Theses. 277, Scholarly and Creative Work from DePauw University.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/studentresearch/277
Included in
Educational Psychology Commons, First and Second Language Acquisition Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons