Cambridge DELTA Module 1 / Terms/concepts
for the Cambridge DELTA Module 1 Exam. ELT
terms from an A-Z of ELT by Scott Thornbury/
327 Q&A.
acculturation - Answer: SLA The process by which a person integrates into a particular culture.
One of the first theories of SLA that attempted to prioritize social factors over purely cognitive
ones. It has been partly rehabilitated under the name socialization.
accuracy - Answer: SLA The extent to which a learner's use of a second language conforms to
the rules of the language. Once thought to be a precondition for fluency.
consciousness-raising CR - Answer: PSYCHOLOGY The way that learners become aware, or are
made aware, of features of the language they are learning. The term belongs to cognitive
learning theory, which claims a central role for conscious mental operations in learning. Things
teachers do with this potential: enhancing the input in some way so as to make certain items
more salient; asking learners to infer rules from examples (inductive learning); asking them to
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,compare their own output with that of more proficient users of the target language (noticing
the gap); problematizing the input; pushed output (noticing the holes in the present state of
their language.
constructivism - Answer: PSYCHOLOGY A theory of learning that claims that individuals actively
construct knowledge, rather than passively receiving it. Supports the case for learner-centered
instruction and experiential learning. Underscores the argument for personalization. Key
figures=Jean Piaget and Jerome Bruner. Contrasts with behaviorist theory and is ideologically
aligned with cognitive learning theory, mentalism and, most closely, humanism.
content and language integrated learning - Answer: METHODOLOGY CLIL Teaching a subject
through English. Also called content-based teaching. A strong form of the communicative
approach in that there is no predetermined language syllabus.
contrastive analysis - Answer: SLA The way the the linguistic systems of two languages are
compared and contrasted. Used to be thought that a comparison between a learner's L1 and L2
would predict the errors that a learner would make; the underlying assumption was a
behaviorist one--that L1 interference was to blame. Many errors are now attributed to
developmental causes, not interference. The best predictions of this are in the area of
phonology.
direct approach to conversation - Answer: METHODOLOGY Argues that the characteristic
features of conversation, as identified in conversation analysis, should be taught explicitly and in
isolation, before being integrated into freer practice activities. These features include
conversational gambits, turn-taking, use of discourse markers, appraisal language, vague
language, etc.
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,indirect approach to conversation - Answer: METHODOLOGY Argues that conversation is best
learned by having conversations. Syllabus might consist of a list of topics to talk about or of
situations where conversations are likely to occur.
conversation analysis - Answer: DISCOURSE Concerned with describing the structure of
conversational interaction, including the sequential organization of talk and the ways that
speakers repair communication problems. The basic unit of talk is the turn. Managed by turn
taking, includes adjacency pairs, conversational openings and closings, backchanneling and
repair strategies. Limited in that it divorces conversation from its context.
co-operative principle - Answer: DISCOURSE The principle that speakers try to co-operate with
one another. When people take part in a conversation they do so on the assumption that the
other speakers will observe certain unstated rules. First articulated by H.P. Grice, included 4
maxims:
maxim of quantity: make your contribution as informative as required
maxim of quality: make your contribution one that is true
maxim of relation: make your contribution relevant
maxim of manner: avoid obscurity and ambiguity. be brief and orderly.
Has been criticized as being culturally biased.
conversational implicature - Answer: DISCOURSE The ability to infer from what has been said
what has not been said.
corpus - Answer: LINGUISTICS A collection of actually occurring texts (either spoken or written)
stored and accessed by means of computers, and useful for investigating language use.
corpus linguistics - Answer: LINGUISTICS The use of corpora for researching language structure
and use; has lead to the development of grammars and dictionaries that claim to be more
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, reliable than their forbears, in that they are based on attested data. Has been criticized on the
grounds that the information it reveals relates only to language performance.
course design - Answer: METHODOLOGY The design of a language teaching program and of the
specific materials to be used on a program. Stages include needs analysis, goal setting, syllabus
design, materials choice, assessment instruments, evaluation procedures.
critical pedagogy - Answer: METHODOLOGY Has roots in progressive education and is also
sometimes called transformative education. Gained prominence through Paulo Freire. Assumes
that education can never be purely disinterested or neutral. It either functions to maintain the
status quo or it works to change the status quo. Has been influenced by humanism, learner
autonomy, literacy training, critical discourse analysis, identity politics and cultural studies.
Culture - Answer: LINGUISTICS Refers to those highly valued activities and artifacts related to
the arts.
culture - Answer: LINGUISTICS Addresses these questions:
What is the relationship between language and culture and to what extent do languages
express cultural values?
Does learning a second language involve learning a new set of cultural values?
Does teaching a second language involve teaching the culture of the language? Is there a
homogeneous English culture?
How do cultural factors impact on methodology? How and to what extent should methodology
adapt to take account of local cultural practices?
Is there such a thing as intercultural competence, analogous to communicative competence,
and if so, how is it fostered?
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for the Cambridge DELTA Module 1 Exam. ELT
terms from an A-Z of ELT by Scott Thornbury/
327 Q&A.
acculturation - Answer: SLA The process by which a person integrates into a particular culture.
One of the first theories of SLA that attempted to prioritize social factors over purely cognitive
ones. It has been partly rehabilitated under the name socialization.
accuracy - Answer: SLA The extent to which a learner's use of a second language conforms to
the rules of the language. Once thought to be a precondition for fluency.
consciousness-raising CR - Answer: PSYCHOLOGY The way that learners become aware, or are
made aware, of features of the language they are learning. The term belongs to cognitive
learning theory, which claims a central role for conscious mental operations in learning. Things
teachers do with this potential: enhancing the input in some way so as to make certain items
more salient; asking learners to infer rules from examples (inductive learning); asking them to
Page 1 of 65
,compare their own output with that of more proficient users of the target language (noticing
the gap); problematizing the input; pushed output (noticing the holes in the present state of
their language.
constructivism - Answer: PSYCHOLOGY A theory of learning that claims that individuals actively
construct knowledge, rather than passively receiving it. Supports the case for learner-centered
instruction and experiential learning. Underscores the argument for personalization. Key
figures=Jean Piaget and Jerome Bruner. Contrasts with behaviorist theory and is ideologically
aligned with cognitive learning theory, mentalism and, most closely, humanism.
content and language integrated learning - Answer: METHODOLOGY CLIL Teaching a subject
through English. Also called content-based teaching. A strong form of the communicative
approach in that there is no predetermined language syllabus.
contrastive analysis - Answer: SLA The way the the linguistic systems of two languages are
compared and contrasted. Used to be thought that a comparison between a learner's L1 and L2
would predict the errors that a learner would make; the underlying assumption was a
behaviorist one--that L1 interference was to blame. Many errors are now attributed to
developmental causes, not interference. The best predictions of this are in the area of
phonology.
direct approach to conversation - Answer: METHODOLOGY Argues that the characteristic
features of conversation, as identified in conversation analysis, should be taught explicitly and in
isolation, before being integrated into freer practice activities. These features include
conversational gambits, turn-taking, use of discourse markers, appraisal language, vague
language, etc.
Page 2 of 65
,indirect approach to conversation - Answer: METHODOLOGY Argues that conversation is best
learned by having conversations. Syllabus might consist of a list of topics to talk about or of
situations where conversations are likely to occur.
conversation analysis - Answer: DISCOURSE Concerned with describing the structure of
conversational interaction, including the sequential organization of talk and the ways that
speakers repair communication problems. The basic unit of talk is the turn. Managed by turn
taking, includes adjacency pairs, conversational openings and closings, backchanneling and
repair strategies. Limited in that it divorces conversation from its context.
co-operative principle - Answer: DISCOURSE The principle that speakers try to co-operate with
one another. When people take part in a conversation they do so on the assumption that the
other speakers will observe certain unstated rules. First articulated by H.P. Grice, included 4
maxims:
maxim of quantity: make your contribution as informative as required
maxim of quality: make your contribution one that is true
maxim of relation: make your contribution relevant
maxim of manner: avoid obscurity and ambiguity. be brief and orderly.
Has been criticized as being culturally biased.
conversational implicature - Answer: DISCOURSE The ability to infer from what has been said
what has not been said.
corpus - Answer: LINGUISTICS A collection of actually occurring texts (either spoken or written)
stored and accessed by means of computers, and useful for investigating language use.
corpus linguistics - Answer: LINGUISTICS The use of corpora for researching language structure
and use; has lead to the development of grammars and dictionaries that claim to be more
Page 3 of 65
, reliable than their forbears, in that they are based on attested data. Has been criticized on the
grounds that the information it reveals relates only to language performance.
course design - Answer: METHODOLOGY The design of a language teaching program and of the
specific materials to be used on a program. Stages include needs analysis, goal setting, syllabus
design, materials choice, assessment instruments, evaluation procedures.
critical pedagogy - Answer: METHODOLOGY Has roots in progressive education and is also
sometimes called transformative education. Gained prominence through Paulo Freire. Assumes
that education can never be purely disinterested or neutral. It either functions to maintain the
status quo or it works to change the status quo. Has been influenced by humanism, learner
autonomy, literacy training, critical discourse analysis, identity politics and cultural studies.
Culture - Answer: LINGUISTICS Refers to those highly valued activities and artifacts related to
the arts.
culture - Answer: LINGUISTICS Addresses these questions:
What is the relationship between language and culture and to what extent do languages
express cultural values?
Does learning a second language involve learning a new set of cultural values?
Does teaching a second language involve teaching the culture of the language? Is there a
homogeneous English culture?
How do cultural factors impact on methodology? How and to what extent should methodology
adapt to take account of local cultural practices?
Is there such a thing as intercultural competence, analogous to communicative competence,
and if so, how is it fostered?
Page 4 of 65
