automatic processing n
the performance of a task without conscious or deliberate processing.
In cognitive psychology, two different kinds of processing employed in
carrying out tasks are distinguished. Controlled processingis involved
when conscious effort and attention is required to perform a task. This
places demands on short-term memory (see memory). For example a learner
driver may operate a car using controlled processing, consciously thinking
about many of the decisions and operations involved while driving.
Automatic processingis involved when the learner carries out the task with-
out awareness or attention, making more use of information in long-term
memory (see memory). Many skills are considered to be “learned” when
they can be performed with automatic processing.
In language learning, the distinction between controlled and automatic
processing has been used to explain why learners sometimes perform
differently under different conditions. For example, a learner may speak a
foreign language with relatively few grammatical errors in situations where
automatic processing is being used (e.g. when talking in relaxed situations
among friends). The same learner may speak less fluently and make more
grammatical errors when controlled processing is being used (e.g. when
speaking in public before an audience). The presence of the audience dis-
tracts the speaker, who uses more controlled processing and this interferes
with his or her accuracy and fluency.
automatic translation n
see under computational linguistics
autonomous learningn
see learner autonomy
autonomyn
in language learning, the ability to take charge of one’s own learning and
to be responsible for decisions concerning the goals, learning processes,
and implementation of one’s language learning needs. The result is an
autonomous learner, as compared to one who depends on others to make
such decisions. In self determination theory, autonomy refers to the
human need to actively participate in determining one’s own behaviour.
This is not necessarily the same as independence, however, since we can
freely choose to do what others want us to do.
see also LEARNER AUTONOMY
autonomy principle n
the idea that grammatical notions cannot be reduced to nonlinguistic
concepts.
automatic processing