Free Language Acquisition Essay Sample

Language acquisition is a quite complicated process. Conscious and/or unconscious comprehension is often used when leaning language. For example, children learn their first language unconsciously figuring out grammar. In this case, they do not repeat or imitate words and phrases of adults, but try to build a language system beginning with sounds, words and sentences. Grammatical errors also occur when children try to develop their rule-based system. So, they make some mistakes, because they haven’t just learnt grammar exceptions. Thus, by the age of five or six, after having heard enough language patterns, children continue to develop their first language base. He/she does it also when being an adolescent.
The first and second language acquisitions have both similarities and differences. Both languages are learnt, but for different purposes. The first language has to be learnt by the children to be able to communicate within their community. The second language is to be learnt for a particular purpose and mostly consciously. Children are not limited with time, whereas people of different ages have a special time period for second language to be learnt. Moreover, as a rule, older learners reach better results for the short period of time in second language acquisition in comparison with younger ones, because they understand why they need it.
So, when teaching English as second language to ELLs, a teacher should take into account all important issues dedicated to second language acquisition. He/she should ask the students questions using simplified language while speaking; ask for elaboration; be a positive listener using eye-contact, non-verbal support and giving enough time to think; provide the learners with encouragement to continue; ask for details; rephrase questions if needed.