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Essay Language Acquisition Principles

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Stephen Krashen is one of the experts when it comes to language acquisition. He has theorized on the subject of second language acquisition for years and has been quite influential in this field of linguistics. He approaches the subject of second language acquisition by presenting his five theories for acquiring a second language. Aida Walqui is another expert; however, she approaches the subject from the aspect that contextual factors are involved in second language learning.
Even though Krashen and Walqui are attempting to achieve a similar goal, their methodologies are different. Krashen believes there are two independent systems that affect one’s language and how a language is acquired. Krashen believes there are two systems that …show more content…

The learned system Krashen believes to be the product of formal instruction and requires that the learner use a process that involves a study of grammar and rules and is taught making learning of less importance than acquisition.
Aida Walqui, who is the Director of Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Programs which includes the Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) and Strategic Literacy Initiative (SLI) projects addressing all aspects of teacher development from pre-service through teacher leadership in grades 5–14, presents her perspective by suggesting that contextual factors affect second language acquisition. Walqui points out those factors that affect second language acquisition and explains how they shape second language learning. Her belief is that through language distance, native language proficiency, knowledge of the second language, dialect and register, language status, and language attitudes second language learners are able to acquire a second language.
Whereas Krashen is concerned about the Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS), Walqui is more concerned about the contextual factors of second language acquisition involving Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). According to Krashen BICs is the more important method of language acquisition allowing the learner access to social and cultural contexts. The

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