The 9 Essential Terms of Second Language Acquisition | Science Behind Language Learning
Summary
TLDRThis video introduces essential terms for understanding Second Language Acquisition (SLA). Caitlin explains nine key concepts, starting with SLA itself, which can refer to both a field of study and the process of learning a second language. Terms like first language (L1), second language (L2), acquisition, input, output, and proficiency are clarified, emphasizing their roles in language learning. The video also explores bilingualism and the challenges of defining proficiency. Aimed at helping viewers grasp foundational ideas in SLA, this video offers resources like flashcards to aid learning.
Takeaways
- đ Second Language Acquisition (SLA) is both a scientific field and a process of learning a second language.
- âïž SLA, as a field of study, focuses on the learning and teaching of additional languages after the first language.
- đŁïž The distinction between first language (L1) and second language (L2) is crucial, with L1 being acquired early in life and L2 referring to any language learned after L1.
- đ Second languages can be any additional languages, including third, fourth, or more languages, and are sometimes called foreign or target languages.
- đ¶ First language refers to the language learned in early childhood, typically from caregivers, and is often called the native language.
- đ§ The term 'acquisition' in SLA refers to the process of developing language skills, and while historically separated from 'learning,' both terms are now used synonymously.
- đ„ Learners of a second language are often referred to as 'second language learners,' and may also be called users, speakers, writers, or signers depending on the context.
- đ§ Input refers to the language learners are exposed to, while output refers to the language they produce, both being critical for second language development.
- đ Proficiency is the level of ability in a language and is usually measured on a scale from beginner to native-like, though it's hard to define and measure consistently.
- đ Bilingualism exists on a spectrum, and the term can describe anyone who speaks two or more languages, with no clear-cut answers for when someone is considered bilingual.
Q & A
What is the primary focus of the field of second language acquisition (SLA)?
-The primary focus of second language acquisition (SLA) is the learning and teaching of second and subsequent languages. It is a subfield of linguistics that scientifically studies language learning.
How can you differentiate between the two meanings of 'second language acquisition'?
-Second language acquisition can refer either to the scientific field of study or the process of learning a second language. In writing, the field is capitalized (SLA) and the process is written in lowercase (l2 acquisition). Context helps clarify which meaning is intended.
What is a first language (L1) and when is it typically acquired?
-A first language (L1) is any language learned very early in life, typically from birth to around age four. It is usually learned from parents, caregivers, or close relatives.
What is a second language (L2), and how does it differ from a first language?
-A second language (L2) is any language learned after the first language. It could be the second, third, or even fifteenth language a person learns. While a first language is acquired in early childhood, second languages are learned later in life.
What is the difference between acquisition and learning in the context of SLA?
-Historically, acquisition and learning were considered separate processes, with acquisition referring to a more natural development of language skills. However, today the terms are treated synonymously, both referring to the process of developing language ability.
What are input and output, and why are they important in second language learning?
-Input refers to the language a learner is exposed to (listening, reading, viewing), while output is the language a learner produces (speaking, writing, signing). Both are crucial for language development, as input provides examples and context, while output allows learners to practice and refine their language skills.
How is proficiency in a second language measured, and why is it challenging?
-Proficiency refers to an individual's level of ability in a language, often measured on scales ranging from beginner to native-like. It's challenging to define and measure because proficiency can vary across different language skills (e.g., reading, speaking) and is influenced by various factors.
What does it mean to be bilingual, and how does it relate to second language acquisition?
-Bilingualism refers to the ability to speak two or more languages, but it exists on a spectrum. People who learn two languages from birth are often considered bilinguals, but the term can also apply to individuals who learn another language later in life. Bilingualism and SLA are closely related fields, with SLA focusing on the learning process and bilingualism on living with multiple languages.
What is the 'intermediate plateau' in second language learning?
-The 'intermediate plateau' refers to the large middle ground of language proficiency where many learners feel stuck. It occurs when learners have reached an intermediate level but struggle to progress to advanced levels of proficiency.
What are some alternative terms for 'second language learners'?
-In addition to 'second language learners,' individuals may also be referred to as second language users, speakers, writers, or signers. These terms emphasize using the language rather than focusing solely on the acquisition process.
Outlines
đ Introduction to Second Language Acquisition Essentials
The video kicks off with Caitlin introducing the concept of creating a 'packing list' of essential terms for understanding Second Language Acquisition (SLA). She emphasizes that while some terms may be familiar, their usage in linguistics might differ. The goal is to equip viewers with foundational knowledge before diving deeper into the subject. The first key term introduced is 'Second Language Acquisition,' which is a scientific field focused on the study of learning and teaching additional languages. Caitlin explains that 'SLA' is commonly used as an abbreviation and distinguishes between its two meanings: the field of study and the process of learning a second language.
đ§ First vs. Second Language and the Concept of Acquisition
This section delves into the definition of 'First Language' (L1) and 'Second Language' (L2). A first language is typically learned from birth to early childhood and may also be referred to as a native language or mother tongue. The video discusses the complexity of defining a second language, which could be any language learned after the first, including third, fourth, or subsequent languages. Caitlin then introduces the term 'Acquisition,' explaining that it refers to the process of developing a skillâin this case, language ability. She notes that while early research distinguished between acquisition and learning, these terms are now often used interchangeably.
đ©âđ« Learners, Input, Output, and Proficiency in SLA
Caitlin introduces 'Second Language Learners,' who are individuals engaged in the lifelong process of learning additional languages. The terms 'input' and 'output' are crucial in this processâinput refers to the target language that learners are exposed to, while output is the language they produce. The importance of both input and output in developing language proficiency is emphasized. Proficiency is then defined as the level of ability in a language, which can vary across different skills like reading and speaking. Caitlin highlights the challenges learners face, such as the 'intermediate plateau,' where progress may stall.
đ Bilingualism and its Connection to SLA
The final part of the video explores the term 'Bilingual,' which refers to individuals who speak two or more languages. Caitlin discusses the ambiguity around when someone can be considered bilingual, especially for those who learn a second language later in life. She explains that bilingualism exists on a spectrum and that SLA and bilingualism are related but distinct fields of study. While SLA focuses on the process of learning additional languages, bilingualism research is more concerned with living with multiple languages. The video concludes by summarizing the nine essential terms and encourages viewers to use the provided flashcards for further study.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄSecond Language Acquisition (SLA)
đĄFirst Language (L1)
đĄSecond Language (L2)
đĄAcquisition
đĄSecond Language Learners
đĄInput
đĄOutput
đĄProficiency
đĄBilingualism
đĄIntermediate Plateau
Highlights
Introduction of 'second language acquisition' (SLA) as a scientific field focusing on the learning and teaching of second and subsequent languages.
'SLA' can refer to both the field of study and the process of learning a second language, depending on context.
Distinction between the capitalized term 'SLA' (the field) and lowercase 'l2 acquisition' (the process).
Definition of 'first language' (L1) as a language learned very early in life, typically from birth to around age four.
Explanation of 'second language' (L2) as any additional language learned after the first language, regardless of how many languages are learned.
Concept of 'acquisition' refers to developing a skill, and within SLA, it denotes the learning of language abilities.
Earlier distinction between 'acquisition' and 'learning' has largely been disregarded in modern research, with both terms now used synonymously.
'Second language learners' are defined as individuals in the process of acquiring a second language, and can also be referred to as 'users,' 'speakers,' 'writers,' or 'signers.'
Definition of 'input' as the language learners are exposed to through listening, reading, or viewing (for sign languages), and 'output' as the language they produce.
Importance of both input and output in second language development, where learners need practice with producing language to master grammatical concepts.
'Proficiency' refers to an individual's level of ability in a language, often measured on a scale ranging from beginner to native-like.
Concept of the 'intermediate plateau,' where many language learners find themselves stuck between basic and advanced proficiency.
Proficiency levels can differ by skill, such as having advanced reading skills but only intermediate speaking proficiency.
'Bilingualism' is defined as a spectrum, encompassing anyone who speaks two or more languages, regardless of when they learned the second language.
Discussion of the nuanced relationship between 'SLA' and 'bilingualism,' with SLA focusing on the process of learning languages and bilingualism on living with multiple languages.
Transcripts
[Music]
welcome back to adventures in language
i'm your guide caitlin
in this video we're going to make a
packing list of sorts before we get too
deep into the world of second language
acquisition
we need to make sure we have our
essentials
so today i'm going to share with you
nine terms and concepts that you need to
start your journey
now you might find that some of these
terms are not new to you but the way
linguists use them might be
so actually we're doing a bit of
language learning in this video very
meta right
okay are you ready let's get started
our very first term is well second
language acquisition
second language acquisition is a
scientific field that focuses on the
learning and teaching of second and
subsequent languages
it's a subfield of linguistics which is
the scientific study of language
second language acquisition is kind of a
mouthful so people usually just call it
sla for short and you'll definitely hear
me doing that throughout the series now
here's something to look out for
second language acquisition can also
refer to the process of learning a
second language
this meaning is synonymous with second
language learning we'll come back to
that
you can usually tell whether someone is
talking about the field or the learning
process from context for example if
someone says
second language acquisition research can
inform practices in language classrooms
that's the field of study
on the other hand if someone says second
language acquisition takes more effort
than first language acquisition
that's the process
got it
you'll also see a distinction between
the two meanings in writing second
language acquisition the field
is capitalized and as i mentioned
earlier is usually abbreviated as sla
second language acquisition the process
is lower case and it's usually
abbreviated as l2 acquisition
so in this case the l is for language
the two is for second l2 so keep an eye
out for that when you're reading about
language learning
okay so now we've defined second
language acquisition in two ways no less
but you might be wondering
what is a second language
well before we get to second languages
let's start with first languages
and that brings us to our second term
first language
a first language or l1
is any language learned very early in
life
this is usually from birth or really
even before that in the womb but
certainly during the first few years of
life usually up until maybe around age
four
you might also hear the terms native
language or mother tongue to refer to a
first language
while a first language does not
necessarily have to be spoken by a
child's mother it's one that a child
hears from a parent close relative or
caregiver really someone that they often
hear speaking from a very young age
many people around the world have
multiple first languages we tend to
think of these people as bilinguals but
that's actually a complicated term that
we'll come back to in a bit okay so for
our third term let's circle back to
second language
in sla research a second language or l2
is any additional language that's
learned after the first language
now this may seem a little strange
because this means that a second
language could be the second language
that an individual is learning
but it could also be their third fourth
fifth or even fifteenth language
second languages might also be referred
to as foreign languages or target
languages or even world languages in a
classroom setting
if a person has two first languages the
next language they learned would also be
considered a second language even though
it's technically their third
things get even trickier when you think
about young children who learn one
language from birth and another from say
age two
are these both first languages is one an
early second language
if this all seems very confusing well it
kind of is but don't worry it would
probably be impossible to categorize all
the nuanced differences in the timing of
language learning for different people
so to keep it simple a first language is
a language learned in infancy and very
early childhood
and a second language is any language
learned after a first language but just
be aware that you may encounter some
gray areas
for term number four let's talk about
that a in sla acquisition
acquisition is the process of developing
a skill which in the case of sla is
language ability
to put it simply acquisition is learning
however in the early days of sla many
researchers considered acquisition and
learning to be two different processes
early attempts to distinguish between
these two terms have largely been
disregarded but you may still encounter
literature that upholds the distinction
so it's important to know that a
historical distinction exists
but today these terms can be treated
synonymously
all right so now we've covered sla and
its component parts
for term number five let's talk about
people
people who are learning or acquiring
second languages are referred to as
well second language learners
the truth is that second language
learning is in many cases a lifelong
process
and even people who have been learning a
second language for many years may still
consider themselves learners you may
also hear these individuals referred to
as users speakers writers signers
this kind of terminology places less of
an emphasis on acquiring a language and
more on actually doing something with it
so second language learners are people
who are learning second languages
but how do second language learners
learn
terms numbers 6 and 7 deal with two
crucial ingredients in the language
learning process input and output
input is the target language that a
learner is exposed to either through
listening reading or viewing for sign
languages
output is the target language that a
learner produces through speaking
writing or signing
the idea that a learner would need some
exposure to target language input is
probably fairly intuitive right
how can you learn a language if you
don't have any examples to draw on
and so learners need rich plentiful
second language input
ideally from a variety of speakers and
contexts
however research shows that input isn't
really enough when it comes to second
language development learners really
need to be pushed to produce language
that's the output part
which serves as important practice with
the language and helps learners develop
beyond understanding meaning to grasping
complex grammatical concepts
all of that input and output practice
helps learners to improve their language
proficiency which brings us to the
eighth term on our list
proficiency is an individual's level of
ability in a language
it's usually measured on a scale with
values on the low end like beginner
novice or low and values in the high end
like advanced or high or the coveted
native like
many second language learners find
themselves stuck in the very large
middle ground of intermediate
proficiency often referred to as the
intermediate plateau
proficiency levels can also be different
for different language skills
so for example you might have advanced
reading proficiency in a language but
intermediate speaking proficiency it's
important to know about proficiency
because you're very likely to come
across it when learning about sla just
know that it's actually notoriously
difficult to define and measure
our ninth and final term is bilingual i
promised you we'd come back to it and
here we are
most people would agree that someone who
learns two languages from birth and
speaks both of those languages fluently
is a bilingual but what about if you
started learning your second language as
an adult
what if you're still learning that
second language
when can you call yourself a bilingual
these are excellent questions but they
don't really have decisive scientific
answers
in some ways
you have to decide how to best describe
yourself
most linguistics researchers today would
agree that bilingualism is a spectrum
including anyone who speaks two or more
languages
sla and bilingualism are two distinct
fields of study with different origins
and central ideas
sla research focuses more on the process
of learning additional languages and the
challenges associated with that whereas
bilingualism research focuses more on
living with multiple languages but
they're highly interrelated it's not
uncommon to see academic journals books
courses and even university departments
with the name sla and bilingualism
sometimes the same individual might be
referred to as a second language learner
or maybe a late bilingual depending on
the focus of a research study
well there you have it your top nine
essential terms to get you started on
your second language acquisition journey
we defined second language acquisition
in two ways and then broke down its
component parts by clarifying the
differences between first and second
languages
and the synonymity of acquisition and
learning
we talked about learners and the input
and output that is so crucial to
developing second language proficiency
finally we covered the nuanced
relationships between sla and one of its
most closely related fields bilingualism
i hope you feel prepared to embark on
your next sla adventure if you want some
help remembering the terms that we
covered today check out the link in the
description for a link to printable
flashcards that you can use to study
these terms on the go we also created a
version that's compatible with online
flashcard tools like quizlet if that's
your preferred study method if you want
to stay in the loop on all of our
amazing videos about languages and
linguistics hit the subscribe button
thanks for watching and i'll see you
next time ciao
[Music]
Voir Plus de Vidéos Connexes
Introduction to Second Language Acquisition
Individual differences in SLA (aptitude, motivation, & anxiety in second language acquisition)
Krashen's model of SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION 2022 | the monitor model hypothesis | SLA | SLL | EFL
Ex-Professor Reveals Way to REALLY Learn Languages (according to science)
Considerations in Language Acquisition
Krashen's Theory of Second Language Acquisition
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)