Explore the functionalist perspective of language acquisition with this comprehensive PowerPoint on Michael Tomasello’s Usage-Based Theory (UBT). Specifically designed for A-Level English Language (9093) Unit 8.7, this lesson moves away from “innate rules” to explain how children build grammar through social intention and pattern recognition.
This resource includes a high-quality comparison table between Tomasello and Chomsky, as well as a bespoke “Grocery Shopping” transcription task with answers
Key Features:
Core UBT Principles: Clear explanation of how language emerges from actual use and concrete utterances rather than pre-programmed structures.
Construction Grammar: Breaks down how children learn “form-meaning pairings” (e.g., “What’s that?”) and gradually generalize them into complex syntax.
General Cognitive Skills: Detailed focus on Intention-Reading (understanding why people speak) and Pattern-Finding (categorization and analogy).
Tomasello vs. Chomsky: A side-by-side comparative inventory of their views on Universal Grammar, biological pre-determination, and the nature of “rules.”
Transcription Analysis Task: Includes a “Leo in the Kitchen” transcript. Students analyze Leo’s interaction with his mother using UBT concepts like chunking, constructions, and social negotiation.
Full Answer Key: Includes a “How to Analyze” slide to guide students in identifying linguistic features through a usage-based lens.
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