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Second Language Acquisition Lecture1

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Second Language Acquisition Lecture1

Uploaded by

khuluda92
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Second Language Acquisition

Lecture 1
Introduction
First Language Acquisition

• First language acquisition is a universal process regardless of home


language. Babies listen to the sounds around them, begin to imitate them,
and eventually start producing words. Language acquisition is the
process whereby children acquire their first languages. All humans
(without exceptional physical or mental disabilities) have an innate
capability to acquire language. Children may acquire one or more first
languages. For example, children who grow up in an environment in
which only English is spoken and heard will acquire only English as their
first language. Acquisition occurs passively and unconsciously through
implicit learning. In other words, children do not need explicit instruction
to acquire their first language but rather seem to just "pick up" language
in the same way they learn to eat, drink, and walk.
Difference between first language and second language
Second Language (L2 ) First Language (L1 )
is a language a person learns in order to communicate is the mother tongue or native language of a person
with the native speaker of that language.

Non-Native language, non- native tongue Native language, native tongue, mother tongue
while the learning process of the second language can The acquiring process of it is very rapid. [‘acquired’ ]
vary from language to language and from person to
person, but can never be as rapid as the first language
acquisition.
[Learned]

It is learned actively by studying grammar rules and It is complex, babies learn it effortlessly.
many concepts
A second language is often learned in the classrooms, A first language is learned from birth by listening to
online tutorials, listening to others speak in a different parents conversing with it.
linguistic environment or foreign country.
Second Language Acquisition

• Second language acquisition assumes that a second language learner has a good
knowledge about his/her first language before starting the process of learning the
elements of the second language including its vocabulary, phonological
components, grammatical patterns, language functions, structures, and writing
rules. As a matter of fact, knowing a first language affects the process of second
language acquisition in two different ways. Some researchers believe that second
language acquisition is often hindered by the knowledge of one's first language.
Every language has its own set of rules for grammar, syntax and pronunciation.
These rules hinder understanding those of any given second language. However,
research also says that one's cognitive development in his/her native language
helps the person transfer the already learned concepts to the second language. The
basic concepts and ideas of one language can be suitably applied to any other
language. Thus, knowing one language is definitely helpful in learning another.
What is second language acquisition (SLA)?
• This term refers to beginning the learning of another language after a
first language (L1) has been acquired.
• second language acquisition describes learning another language after
the early years of childhood.
• Second language acquisition is a phenomenon that millions of
individuals worldwide are engaged in, and it is also a distinct field of
study.
Second language acquisition

• The term “second language acquisition” suggests that a first language


has already been acquired. Having a basic knowledge about first
language acquisition, an ability that is an essentially universal aspect
of the general human condition, can be considered as fundamentally
important in order to better understand second language acquisition.
Any questions?

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