Language Acquisition Principles

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Stephen Krashen is one of the experts when it comes to language acquisition. He has theorized on the subject of second language acquisition for years and has been quite influential in this field of linguistics. He approaches the subject of second language acquisition by presenting his five theories for acquiring a second language. Aida Walqui is another expert; however, she approaches the subject from the aspect that contextual factors are involved in second language learning. Even though Krashen and Walqui are attempting to achieve a similar goal, their methodologies are different. Krashen believes there are two independent systems that affect one’s language and how a language is acquired. Krashen believes there are two systems that have different approaches to language acquisition. One belief is that there is an “acquired system” and another belief is that there is a “learned system”. The acquired system is a process like that of a child learning their first language, where language comes from the interaction between the speaker and the listener naturally. The acquired system can easily be used effectively by teachers in the classroom through meaningful interaction in the target language. This is a form of natural communication where those involved are not concentrated on the form of what is being spoken, but in the actual communication that is taking place. When this method is used, the teacher is able to gradually pass more independence on to the student, resulting in growth in language acquisition. This is done by the teacher modeling and describing what is being said which guides the student. Through the built-in routines of response and feedback, with corresponding revision and editing, students are scaffolded ... ... middle of paper ... ... learning, not something that to be considered when acquiring a language. When considering the contextual factors in the acquisition of a second language, Walqui explains the importance of various factors that shape second language learning: language distance, native language proficiency, knowledge of second language, dialect and register, language status, and language attitude. These things differ from Krashen’s theory because they focus on formal registers and standard dialects, while conversation with friends and relatives may call for informal registers and nonstandard dialects. Works Cited Peregoy, S., & Boyle, O. (2008). Reading, writing, and learning in ESL: A resource book for k-12 techers (5th ed.) Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. Stephen Krashe's Theory of Second Language Acquisition Contextual Factors in Second Language Acquisition, Aqui Walqui

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