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    1 Exposure. Text and Questions

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    Vladyslava Miliutina

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    1 Exposure. Text and Questions

    Uploaded by

    Vladyslava Miliutina
    118 views2 pages

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    118 views2 pages

    1 Exposure. Text and Questions

    Uploaded by

    Vladyslava Miliutina

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    EXPOSURE TO LANGUAGE and FOCUS ON FORM

    Read the text and find the answer to the following questions.
    1. What is ‘acquisition’?
    2. In some people’s opinion, how is language acquisition different to language learning?
    3. How do children learn their first language?
    4. What is second language acquisition?
    5. What is ‘exposure’?
    6. What is the ‘silent period’?
    7. Why is ‘interaction’ important?
    8. What is ‘focus on form’?

    Second language learning

    If you look in a dictionary to find the meaning of the word ‘acquisition’, you will find it defined as
    something like ‘the process of learning skills or getting knowledge’. So what then is ‘language
    acquisition’ and how is language acquisition different to ‘language learning’?

    Some theorists believe that there is a difference between learning and acquisition and that the
    difference is this: language learning is a conscious or intentional process which may involve studying
    the language, paying attention to grammar rules and possibly following a course of instruction.
    Language acquisition, on the other hand, is considered to be a natural process and involves ‘picking
    up’ language in a non-conscious way through exposure to language, not by studying it.

    Children ‘acquire’ their first language and get to know its rules through exposure and by being
    exposed to examples of the language and by using it. This is part of the theory of ‘first language
    acquisition’.

    ‘Second language acquisition’ is the process, and the study of the process, by which people learn
    a language that is not their native language. This is a fairly new field of study and there are still many
    questions to answer about how languages are learnt. However, teachers and theorists believe that
    we do learn a second language by ‘acquiring’ or ‘picking up’ language, but there are some important
    considerations for second language learners.

    Second language learners acquire language through exposure to many different examples of the
    language, by reading it and by hearing it in their environment. We listen and read and develop an
    understanding of language over a period of time before we eventually use it ourselves. The period,
    when learners are taking in language, processing it and perhaps silently practising it, is known as the
    ‘silent period’ and is thought to be an important stage in language acquisition.

    Once we use the language, it is important that there is an opportunity for interaction so we can use
    the language, to experiment, to make the language work in communication.

    The final consideration is the need for a focus on form. Second language learners need to focus on
    the language, to analyse and identify it and practise it. Teachers and learners will also want to look at
    correcting mistakes so that learners can think about rules, and exceptions to rules.

    © SashaEnglish 2019
    © UCLES 2009. This material may be photocopied (without alteration) and distributed for classroom use provided no
    charge is made. For further information see our Terms of Use at http://www.teachers.cambridgeESOL.org/ts/legalinfo

    © SashaEnglish 2019

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