Second Language Acquisition Preproduction Early Production Speech Emergence Intermediate Fluency Continued Language Development Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Second Language Acquisition The process of language acquisition is lengthy. Students move through five stages while developing English language proficiency. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD Preproduction Students observe and internalize the new language. They use gestures, pointing and nodding to communicate. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD Early Production Students continue to acquire English and they use language patterns, yes/no responses and single words to communicate. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD Speech Emergence Students begin to use simple sentences. At this stage they may begin to initiate discussion. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD Intermediate Fluency Students are fairly comfortable in social language situations. They state opinions and ask for clarification. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Continued Language Development Students participate in classroom activities with additional support for comprehension, academic language and cultural information. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Factors that determine progression Prior knowledge Cultural background Reason for immigration Personality Previous schooling Literacy in first language Proficiency in first language Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

What the research says: Research shows that children learn social language skills much sooner than the academic language skills. Although children may seem at first not to understand what is going on in the classroom, they are actually transferring concepts and language structure. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD

Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD Silent Period In the first months, children will go through a “silent period” where they may not produce language but will be listening and internalizing English language structure. Marjorie Hall Haley, PhD