What is Second Language Acquisition (SLA)? | Science Behind Language Learning

Summary

In this video, Caitlin Tagarelli introduces the field of second language acquisition (SLA), which studies how people learn languages beyond their first. She explains the significance of SLA for education, public policy, national security, the economy, and cross-cultural understanding. The video highlights the complexities of language learning, including vocabulary, grammar, cultural nuances, and social contexts. Caitlin also touches on the history of SLA research, its real-world applications, and ongoing questions in the field, inviting viewers to explore more about how the brain processes languages and how second languages shape identity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Second Language Acquisition (SLA) is a subfield of linguistics that studies how people learn languages after their first language.
• 😀 SLA includes the study of learning any language beyond your first, such as your second, third, or more languages.
• 😀 SLA research emerged in the mid-1900s, combining insights from psychology, linguistics, and first language acquisition to understand how adults learn additional languages.
• 😀 SLA is important for education, helping to shape language teaching programs, textbooks, and classroom activities.
• 😀 Public policy benefits from SLA research, particularly in countries with large immigrant populations, informing how to educate newcomers while preserving their native languages.
• 😀 The Department of Defense is one of the biggest funders of SLA research, using it to identify talented language learners for national security and diplomacy purposes.
• 😀 Learning a second language is increasingly valuable for the economy, as many jobs require proficiency in additional languages.
• 😀 SLA contributes to cross-cultural understanding by making us more open to other cultures and broadening our worldview.
• 😀 The field of SLA intersects with various scientific disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and education.
• 😀 SLA research has explored topics like how age affects language learning, why accents persist, and how second language acquisition influences identity, but many questions remain unanswered.

Q & A

What is second language acquisition (SLA)?

Second language acquisition (SLA) is a subfield of linguistics that focuses on the learning and teaching of second and subsequent languages—languages learned after the first language, beyond the early years of life.

How does SLA differ from first language acquisition?

SLA deals with learning languages after the first language, whereas first language acquisition refers to how children learn their native language in the first few years of life. Although they share similarities, they are distinct fields of study.

Why is second language acquisition important?

SLA is important because it informs language teaching, public policies related to immigrants, national security, economic competitiveness, and promotes cross-cultural understanding. It helps to understand how languages are learned, which can improve learning processes and social integration.

How has second language acquisition research evolved over time?

SLA research began in the mid-1900s, with efforts to integrate psychology, theoretical linguistics, and first language acquisition to better understand how adults learn additional languages. By the 1980s, SLA was firmly established as a field of study, leading to an explosion of research.

What are some real-world applications of SLA research?

SLA research has numerous real-world applications, such as improving language education programs, shaping public policies for immigrant education, aiding national security through language training, enhancing job market competitiveness, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

What factors influence how people learn second languages?

Several factors influence second language learning, including the learner's age, cognitive abilities, the language being learned, the learning context, social interactions, and cultural immersion. SLA research aims to understand how these factors affect language acquisition.

Does age affect second language learning?

Yes, age is believed to affect language learning, particularly with respect to accent and grammatical intuition. Younger learners tend to acquire languages more easily in terms of pronunciation, but older learners may have advantages in cognitive processing and learning strategies.

How does SLA research impact language teaching?

SLA research informs the design of teaching programs, textbooks, curriculum, and classroom activities. It helps educators understand the most effective methods for teaching languages and how different learners approach language acquisition.

What role does the brain play in second language learning?

The brain is crucial in SLA, as it processes and stores new linguistic information. Research on how the brain handles multiple languages helps explain phenomena like foreign accent retention and the cognitive challenges of learning additional languages.

How does learning a second language affect one's identity?

Learning a second language can influence one's identity by altering how individuals perceive themselves and their relationship with other cultures. SLA research explores how language learning can shape cultural understanding and personal identity.