Second Language Acquisition

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Second Language acquisition is learning a second language after a first language is already established. Teaching a second language was mostly based on grammar and sentences, first, then on vocabulary. I think that if vocabulary would be taught first, learning would become easier for the children. This would help, then in learning grammar and sentences. Second language acquisition is a very crucial part of the learners’ life, not only children because there are adults who try to learn a second language, as well. Second language acquisition which begins at the very early stages of life of the child is more successful if it is well practiced as the child grows up. Language teaching is very important. The teachers who are responsible to “transfer” …show more content…

Teachers spent a lot of time using textbooks, so choosing the appropriate book is very important. Yet, no course book is perfect for any teaching and learning situation. Learners are the centre of language instruction, so texts should be able to achieve objectives already set in terms of learner needs. Modern course books include useful and attractive accessories for students, such as Cd’s, word and picture cards, posters etc. Teachers must be able to evaluate a book, create their own material and produce the material in order to reflect the aims, methods and values of the teaching program. There are teachers who follow the course book very closely in their class and others who are able to select their own materials and activities more freely. In my opinion, teachers must be able to do that because there are exercises or material in the book that a teacher may be unable to teach and either fails to teach the whole point of material, or the teacher will teach it in a wrong way. Most teachers are somewhere in the middle. Is it important to complement and build up the course books? Is it right? Why do teachers sometimes need to do it? Teachers may also do supplement the course books, or the material in general, to challenge their students and advance the level of the class. The supplement of the course books, also, must be done in some cases in order the teachers to make the material more comprehensible …show more content…

This natural order of acquisition occurs independently of deliberate teaching and, therefore, teachers cannot change the order of grammatical teaching sequence.
The Input hypothesis refers to language acquisition when learners receive messages that they can understand. The comprehensible input must be a step beyond the learners’ correct language ability and must allow learners to continue to progress with their language development.
The Effective filter hypothesis is like a “screen” that is influenced by emotional variables that can prevent learning. It does not impact acquisition directly, but prevents input from reaching the language acquisition part of the brain. Also, it can be promoted by many different variables including anxiety, stress, motivation etc. Hence Krashen and Terrell stated that “acquisition can take place only when people understand messages in the target language.” (1983). Learners were initially exposed to meaningful language, not forced to speak until they felt ready to and corrected or given explicit grammar

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