3.0 First (1 st )& Second (2 nd ) Language Acquisition ( P: 49-62) Introduction This section continues in what was mentioned in the previous section about language acquisition, languages theories and how we can speak many languages depending to our ability to do things.

1. 0 In this section(P: 50) We discussed the following: 1.The 1 st and 2 nd language acquisition. 2.How many Number of languages we can speak. 3.How to learn a 2 nd language.(as English, French …etc 4.learning variable(differences) in 1 st and 2 nd Language acquisition.

Tucker (2003) says: ( no matter the number of language we learnt later in life, “ the rapidity and accuracy of the 1 st acquisition can simply not be repeated) She continues, “the differences between a child ability to communicate in the target language surpasses the adult ability in rapidity and accuracy” Because of the following factors that are responsible for the differences between children and adults in rapidity and accuracy:

3.1 Factors responsible for Rapidity and accuracy in Language acquisition: 1.input2. age3. motivation 4. Egocentricity(selfishness) 1.Input ((the quantity and quality) as: The quantity (amount) of the exposure that a child has. (is greater than adult) (the learning situations : Thro which the child hears and Exposes to a target language all the day through different ways( at home, at play, in classroom) 3.1

Unlike the adult who, A). lack the time to study or listen to the language that spoken or read, due to: B). Stress of works c) Inability to understand the structure discourage adult from going rapidly in learning d) An adult may go to classroom, but the class may contains students and the instructor mayn’t give enough time or pay attention to the individual.

2. Age (it called the critical period) Age is another important factor responsible for acquiring a 2 nd L. How? the success period is before puberty At puberty period the successful learning become so difficult. Why? Because people go through changes as Physical, emotional and cognition term. There are 3 main changes affect the language acquisition as:

a. The presence of muscular plasticity -some psychologists say: a Child plasticity(( مرونه gone away about age of 5, after this age it is so difficult for learner to master pronunciation. The question is: What happens to a child above age 5 who travels outside their countries and after 2 years mastered the art of speaking of the host language?????

This question destroy this claim It is not true for all cases. Because, some youngers travel from Nigeria to Europe and they mastered the host language This gives room to motivation that leads learners to learn fast and accurate

b. Memorization Capicity: Tucker (2003)says: As a person grows older his ability to store large amount of information begins to decrease.

c. Neuro-bio-logical changes Neurology reached at: (when a person grows mature, his left hemisphere (responsible of analytical and intellectual functions) dominant the right hemisphere (responsible of emotion functions) and this affect language learning.

The advantage of this help adults to master grammar and structure more than children why? Because, the cognitive development. The disadvantage is that: The adults keep hold of structure of their first language and involve in it in the L2

3. Motivation It helps in emotional change. Children are easily motivated unlike adults But Tucker list 2 ways to motivate adults: a.The first: Integrative motivation Is to encourage learners to acquire the new L why? To be able to identify with speakers of L2

B b. The second :Instrumental motivation This to acquire proficiency as to a translator, A researcher in different areas. 4. Egocentricity (selfishness) - It deals with how adults annoyed when they corrected when learning another L. - And how they get frustrated or threatened when they learn another language if it has to do with enhancement. They see mistakes as failure rather than avenue(bath) for correction.

Exercise: Mention three factors affecting the acquisition of language as discussed by Tucker(2003) The next is section 3.2 (P: 52)

3.2 Characteristics of L1 and L2 - open Page 52 Language 1 *L1 : is the mother tongue language is (1st language) *L1 always lost leaving individual with the new 2 nd L, that they learnt(when a child move to another environment in which the 1 st L never spoken there frequently) May not be a dominant L.. Language 2 *L2: is the language that we learn after the 1 st language. It acquired after puberty

3.2 Similarities and differences( L1 and L2 as stated by (Ellis 1994) Language 1 1. Speed: it learned faster, be very competence. 2. Stages: Native speaker learn it from environment surrounding him. Language 2 1. Speed: It learn slowly, and the learner not always be native- like competence in L2 although s/he spent many years there. 2. Stages: Basic sound, vocabulary, grammar developed while learning depends on individual

Compare bw L1 and L2 Language 1 2- it acquired unconsciously. -Learners achieve high level of fluency and comprehension. Language 2 2. It consciously acquired learnt and used after puberty period. Learners never achieve high level of fluency and comprehension.

Continue similarities and diff. L1 3. Competence: L1 speakers achieve highly competence in term fluency and accuracy. _ Children of L1 master overall success normally. _ L1 learners are able to form a clear grammatical judgment. L2 3. Competence: L2 learner are Less competence than L1 speaker in accuracy, runs after fluency. _ adults learner of L2 unlikely to achieve a perfect L2 mastery. _ L2 learners are unable to form a clear grammatical judgment.

4.0 Conclusion of the previous Unit It surveys or reiews: 1.Acquisition of L1 and L2 as it assumed by some scholars. 2.Some factors affecting the accuracy of acquiring the 1 st and 2 nd L.(age- motivation- egocentricity(selfish) Tucker The similarity and differences bw L1 and L2.

Summary of the previous Unit: P: 54 1.The quantity of exposure of Target L for child is greater than that of adults. 2.Input is the different ways that learners exposed to L2. 3.Relevance to the L to the lives of the adult is a factor in acquiring L. 4.A child’s language is a system in itself, it differ from adults fragment system.

Continue: 5. Language depends on learner’s cognition 6. Learning 1 st L has many sides and not just learning its syntax and vocabulary 7. There are particular stages of development thro’ which children progress even the rate of this progress is varies

Homework(P:53) Q1:Why is a complete success rare in L2 acquisition for a Nigerian learner of English? Discuss: Q2. What are the characteristics of L1 and L2? Q3. What are similarities and diff. bw L1 and L2: in terms of( speed- stages- competence)?