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Date Posted: 13:02:24 05/02/07 Wed
Author: Andréa de Jesus
Subject: Task Two

Acquisition of a Second Language: Why teachers need to know more about it?
by Andréa da Silva de Jesus


Current theories of second language (L2) acquisition are based on years of research. One concept endorsed by most current theorists is that of a continuum of learning – that is, predictable and sequential stages of language development, in which the learner progresses from no knowledge of the new language to a level of competency closely resembling that of a native speaker. The Vygotsky’s theories add that to acquire a second language is important to happen interaction with other people. It possible to observer many factors in the process of acquire a L2; understand this factors may help foreign language teachers improve their classes.

It has been researched about a natural order that happens with the learners in the acquisition of a L2. ELLIS (1997) says that, “Most learners begin their acquisition process with a ‘silent period,’ in which they speak very little if at all. While appearing silent, they are rehearsing important survival phrases and lexical chunks. These memorized phrases are then employed in the subsequent period of formulaic speech. It eventually gives way to a more experimental phase of acquisition, in which the semantics and grammar of the target language are simplified and the learners begin to construct a true interlanguage.” To know that there is a natural order in the acquisition of a L2 it is important because it will help the teachers to understand better their students. And it will help the teachers prepare more properly the subjects that will be study.

It is also important for teachers comprehend that a great part of the learning is influenced by the relationship and the social contact that the learners have. According to Vygotsky, “The person's social history will interferes in the process of acquire a L2.” It is natural that the communicative, experiences and human interaction will interferes in foreign language learning. To know more about social-interaction’s theories, it will be good to help teachers to know more about their student and how is important the individual experience of each student.

In conclusion, it is so important that teachers of a foreign language have more contact with second language theories. These theories will help teachers to know more about the factors that interferes in the acquisition of a L2. Understand better this process will improve and make the class a good place for learning.


Bibliography:
ELLIS, R. The study of second language acquisition. 1997.
LARSEN-FREEMAN, D. & LONG, M. H. An introduction to second language acquisition. 1991.
VYGOTSKY, L. Vygotsky & Language Acquisition. On-line version: http://www.sk.com.br/sk-vygot.html (May 2, 2007)

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