The increasing number of English language learners (ELL) has presented a myriad of challenges for the educational system. On the backdrop of federal mandates and guidelines, schools have the added pressure of implementing instructional practices for ELL that would ensure that each student is making significant academic yearly progress. Also fueling the controversy are the trends in instructional strategies which have continuously evolved as the dramatic flow of ELL increase. In an effort to better understand second language learners, various studies have been conducted on the processes of second language acquisition. Second language theories have provided the framework for which relevant data can be deduced to enhance the way educators formulate effective instructional practices. There is a foundational premise among second langue theorists that learners acquire second language by building upon their existing native language knowledge. However, each theory that has been formulated approach second language acquisition from differing perspectives.…
As children learn a second language, Walqui brings out, there are individual, social and societal factors that the teacher should consider (2002). Some of these are linked to the native language of the student. Things that a teacher must take into account include the student’s proficiency in their native tongue. Additionally, how much academic knowledge the student has in their native tongue and the amount of prior knowledge the student has of the English language. “The more academically sophisticated the student is in their native language, knowledge, and abilities” can make a difference in how quickly and efficiently the student can learn in a second language (Walqui, 2002). Another consideration is the linguistic difference between the native and second language. Some languages, like English and Spanish use a similar register. While languages like Korean and Chinese use a different resister, creating a larger gap between the languages. This is knowledge that can be helpful when planning instruction.…
In deciding how to develop language teaching methods and materials, one can take three approaches: make use of second language acquisition theory, make use of applied linguistics research, and make use of ideas and intuition from experience. These approaches should in fact support each other and lead to common conclusions. This book incorporates all three approaches, with a hope of reintroducing theory to language teachers. While "most current theory may still not be the final word on second language acquisition," it is hoped that teachers will use the ideas in this book as another source alongside of their…
This paper is going to talk about Krashen's theory of second language acquisition, which has had a large impact in all areas of second language research and teaching since the 1980s.…
When adults start taking English lessons in order to learn this language, it is common listen some comments like “you cannot teach an old dog new tricks”. Despite research results show the contrary, many people still believe that adults cannot learn a second language with good proficiency. All these myths related to adults’ language acquisition set a negative effect that in some cases produces that second language learning becomes a wish never reachable. This short essay intent on making clear some misconceptions with relevant findings and bring hope to all those adults, that like me, have established acquire a second language part of their lifelong-learning goals.…
Dulay and Burt began with the premise that first and second language acquisition in children were the same process, and that the kinds of errors made by a second language leaner would be the same as those made by a first language leaner of the same language. Children learning a second language are usually older tan L1 learners; they are further along in their cognitive development, and they have experienced a language once before.…
The language produced by learners learning a second language is extremely varied. It can range from one learner to another in regard to many factors. These variations can be accounted for by a number of ideas including: first language (L1) interface, age differences, motivation, self-confidence, aptitude, anxiety, gender and social distance. In this essay I will define SLA and then outline five of the main linguistic theories. These outlines will form the basis for my analysis of the differences in language that are produced by learners. Finally, I will consider what level of impact these theories have and how they can account for these differences and, the many difficulties and successes that learners have on their way to learning a second language.…
The following essay will look into the importance of motivation as a predictor of success in second language acquisition. The report will critically analysis some popular theories of motivation and allow of a better understanding to the different types of motivation. Moreover, the report will use the scholarly journals of other scholars who have actively tested and proved some of the popular conceptions regarding motivation and its importance in successfully acquiring a second language. Those findings will be supported further by personal evidence to support the topic.…
There are some basic theories advanced to deseribe how language is acquired and taught. The behaviorist theory, Mentalist theory, Rationalist theory (otherwise calIed Congitive theory), Empiricist theory (Audiolingualism), and Cognitive-code theory are some of these theories. Of these, behaviorist theory and mentalist theory are mainly applicable to the acquisition of native languages while the rest can account for foreign language acquisition. Yet, the se five fundamental theories of language leaming cannot be totalIy divorced from each other, for "the objectives of second language learning are not necessarily entirely determined by natiye language competence inevitably serves as a foil against which to set second language leaming." (H.H. Stem, .1983; 30). Mother Tongue and Foreign Language Learnmg…
Finally the last author is Freeman (2004) who in two chapters explains the acquisition of the language in different forms. Chapter 1 refers to the first language acquisition and how a baby starts babbling and then he can be able to develop a huge number of words and sentences. Freeman also refers in how different fields such as psychology, sociology, linguistics, affect the learner in the acquisition of the language. The second chapter refers to written and second language acquisition using different goals and…
Overview of Second Language Acquisition and Teaching Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6…
Cruse, Alan (2004). Second language instruction does make a difference: Evidence from an empirical study. Meaning in Language: An Introduction to Semantics and Pragmatics: 155-157.…
Children’s exposure to two languages often from their families or from the community they belong to resulted what is known by: children bilingualism. Many scholars were preoccupied by this complex task and debated on it. They focused on the simultaneous acquisition of two languages from birth, or what is generally referred to as bilingual first language acquisition.…
This paper outlines the results of a survey which was carried out, to identify Petroleum…
Many researchers consider motivation as one of the main elements that determine success in developing a second or foreign language since it determines the extent of active, personal involvement in second language learning. ( Oxford&Shearin,1994)…