The Challenges Of The First Language Acquisition

Learning a new language has many benefits; career advancement, bridging communication gaps, and strengthening life skills. “What theory implies, quite simply, is that language acquisition, first or second, occurs when comprehension of real messages occurs, and when the acquire is not ‘on the defensive’” wrote Steven D. Krashner (1981)

First language acquisition is something most average people go through without giving it a second thought. According to Freeman and Freeman (2014), “Acquisition refers to a natural process that occurs without conscious effort or any kind of direct teaching” (p.21). Due to the fact that language acquisition is something almost everyone goes through without conscious effort and is still partially a mystery, it has become a widely studied subject. Researchers from many different fields have studied first language acquisition, including psychology, education, linguistics, and sociology. First language acquisition is a subject that is still being researched and has had many different theories throughout the years, regardless, knowing about

I like how you described one of the characters, Gonzalo, and his amazing experience of learning English in such as a short period of time. This fact reminds me about the time when my family came to the U.S., and my children were the first who learned English. Similarly to Gonzalo, they learned English from cartoons; so, TV made them smarter, and they were able to communicate much earlier than my husband and I. Usually, adults are more inhibited and stressed when it is time to talk in a foreign language since they are afraid that people will make jokes on them. Unlikely to adults, kids are less worried about starting talking in a foreign language and easily learn it. Thus, I totally agree with Gonzalo that the younger you are the

I have heard people say the age of learning a new language can be one of the main factors for people can not be succeed with

According to oncology nurse, Suzanne Robin in her article “Why Is It Easier for a Child to Learn a New Language Than an Adult,” “Young children are hard-wired to learn language in the first few years of life. When frequently exposed to two languages, they unconsciously acquire the second language naturally, applying the same skills they use to acquire their native language. Older children and adults have to learn the language consciously by studying it.” (2014, para. 2).

Many popular theories of second language acquisition have been analyzed throughout history. The socialization of L2 learners, their present emotional state that is present at time of acquisition, as well as the comprehensible input and output with the use of scaffolding play a major role in second language acquisition. Let us also not forget the importance of written expression as well as reading comprehension with these L2 learners. Each play a role in language development. However, I believe that in acquiring a language, one must use a variety of techniques that work together to create a balance within the learning environment. Furthermore, all L2 learners learn differently and so a variety of resources will need to be used based on the ability of each student. There are many theories that have been developed by highly qualified experts in the field on linguistics. However, I will address those areas that I agree with as I present my personal theories on second language acquisition.

First, parents can be aware that babies are learning a language that is foreign to them. Babies have an advantage over older people who try to

Baby brains need communication with other people to soak in a new language. If you want to teach your baby some language, then speak slowly and use exaggeration of sounds. So, adults can learn new languages more easily but they need to use

Many second language acquisition theories have been developed over the years. These theories examine the avenues in which second language is acquired and the avenues in which they are

Children acquire language since they were born. They communicate with their parents. Furthermore, children and parents interact with each other using a language that we often call the first language or mother tongue. At an early age, children are only learning one language that is the mother tongue. By age and speech development, children improve to acquire a second language from the school or the environment around them. In terms of speed of langgauge acquisition, children are factorized by both the child and the child’s learning environment. Therefore, it is important to understand how children acquire second language. This paper is provided

Abstract: In second language acquisition, age factors has always been the study focus and one of the most controversial issues of linguistics. Based on the Brain Plasticity Theory and the Critical Period Hypothesis, the purpose is to prove such a hypothesis that the younger the leaner who begins to learn an second language,the greater the probability that he or she will achieve a native-like command of it.

The first area of difference between first (L1) and second (L2) language learning is input – specifically the quality and quantity of input. It is the idea of the "connectionist model that implies... (that the) language learning process depends on the input frequency and regularity" (5).. It is here where one finds the greatest difference between L1 and L2 acquisition. The quantity of exposure to a target language a child gets is immense compared to the amount an adult receives. A child hears the language all day everyday, whereas an adult learner may only hear the target language in the classroom – which could be as little as three hours a week. Even if one looks at an adult in a total submersion situation the quantity is still less because the amount of one on one interaction that a child gets for example with a parent or other caregiver is still much greater then the adult is receiving.

Acquiring the first language is much easier than acquiring any second language as it comes “naturally” after birth. The child passes through different stages before acquiring the language till he masters it. Children follow a predictive language development through their language acquisition but it can vary from a child to another according to the external surroundings especially in the early stages.

Since, the second language is an additional language after we acquire the first language, the L2 learning process can be influenced by the L1 learning process This essay will demonstrate the similarities and differences in L1 and L2 acquisition by discussing various theories. Then, draw a conclusion based on the evidence provided and my own experience.

How age affects second language acquisition is an interesting topic for most of the educators who have to develop appropriate curriculum and