Language Learning & Language Acquisition
Schools in the United States are becoming increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse. As language development teachers, we must take a look at the implications of first and second language development on the academic success of our ELLs. Understanding the process of first and second language development will allow for the responsive instruction necessary to meet the academic needs of all students.
Is the process for developing a second language (L2) the same as the process for developing a first language (L1)?
Acquiring a language and learning a language have traditionally been viewed as closely related, but different processes. What distinguishes the two? Language acquisition is the process by which the language capability develops in a human. When a child acquires his or her first language, it is usually a means to solve problems and get their needs and desires met. The child is not usually conscious of the linguistic process he or she is undergoing. On the contrary, language learning is often a more formal process in which learning the new language is both the means and the end. Learning a language implies the conscious effort to develop language skills, while acquiring a language typically involves the unconscious development of language.
The chart below distinguishes between the characteristics of language acquisition and language learning:
| Language Acquisition | Language Learning |
|---|---|
| Informal | Formal |
| Often unstructured | Structured |
| Means “picking up a language” | Means “knowing about” a language (e.g. the rules) |
| Unconscious process | Conscious process |
Click on the icon at the left to test your knowledge of Language Learning vs. Language Acquisition.
So, what are our ELLs experiencing in our classrooms as they develop English language skills? What are some of the factors that affect the development of a second language? And what is the role of the language teacher in students’ development of English? The following article by Judy Haynes, an internationally recognized expert on Second Language Acquisition, (SLA) addresses these questions.
