Language Acquisition In A Second Language Environment

Abstract

Language acquisition is the process whereby children acquire their first languages.  First language becomes an important thing as a basic language for human. Acquisition (as opposed to learning) depends on children receiving linguistic input during the critical period. The critical period is defined as the window of time, up to about the age of twelve or puberty, in which humans can acquire first languages. Language plays an institutional and social role in the community. It functions as a recognized means of communication among members who speak some other language as their native tongue. Language acquisition is the unconscious process in learning a language. Children exposed to a language at an early age internalize rules with the aid of which they are able to generate sentences. There are some theories of second language acquisition can be broadly classified into Behaviorist theory,Nativist Theory,Cognitive theory, and Social Interactionist Theory.