The competition model: From language processing to pedagogical implications

Abstract

The competition model is a psycholinguistic model which was first introduced to account for language processing, yet over time, the model was generalized to deal with the areas of first and second language acquisition. As a functionalist model, the ‘competition model’ suggests that language forms are at the service of communicative functions. It also draws on connectionism, and thus emphasizes the importance of frequency and the information value of linguistic input. Furthermore, it is based on the hypothesis that human beings do not need to have any innate brain module for language learning. However, it does not reject the innate and psychological mechanisms underlying language acquisition. The present article attempts to discuss the principles of the ‘competition model’ and the possible pedagogical implications of it. Key words: Competition model, functionalism, cues, two-level mapping, unified competition model, chunking, buffering, resonance.