A 1750-word article on 1st and 2nd language acquisition. One body paragraph for each. (An introduction and conclusion are needed).

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The assignment needs to accomplish two things:

1. Provide a critical account of your previous beliefs about first and second language acquisition, with reference to theories or concepts of first/second language acquisition

2. Be a well-written, well-organized essay, following all academic conventions, including a reference list following APA style.

The questions

1. How do you think we learn our first language?  (What happens? How does it happen? How

does it progress? What happens in the child’s head? How important is correction? What do

parents have to do? and so on.) (First language acquisition) 

2. What do you think is the most effective way to teach or learn a second language? Why? 

(What is the main process? What do the learners have to do? What does the teacher have to

do? Does this change as time goes on? What has to happen in the classroom? What is the role

of the syllabus? What should be in the syllabus?) (Second language acquisition)

My previous beliefs on 1st and 2nd language acquisition

1- First language acquisition: Language is a critical aspect that defines humans and their identities. It is a means of communication that they acquire from a very young age and onwards. As to how they acquire it, children start off learning language by attempting to communicate their instinct needs through body language and facial expressions. They can further communicate them through using their vocals, and this will be achieved through crying, shouting, laughing and more. At a later stage, they will be able to utter sounds and perhaps simple words they are exposed to by their parents, siblings and overall their surroundings. The first attempts to learn their first language could be through trying to repeat the words and sounds they often hear from others and other interactive tools, such as videos, games, songs and more. The words used by infants, even if they are not pronounced correctly, at this stage are enough for them to feel understood and provide them with a sense of security. Structuring phrases and sentences will probably start when they become toddlers. At this stage, the area responsible for learning a language in their brain will be developed. Having said that, children at this age might struggle in forming phrases and short sentences that are grammatically correct. In this regard, parents should not constantly correct their toddlers’ mistakes but rather encourage them to communicate their needs and express their feelings and emotions freely. This is because the mistakes children make at this age are due to their language incompetence. Pronouncing some words and trying to use longer forms can be overwhelming for them. Once the children begin to go to school, they will first be taught how to utter certain sounds and words correctly. This will be achieved through teaching them the alphabet and a variety of words they can use to communicate with others. Not only will they learn how to use nouns, but they will learn how to use verb tenses. At this stage, children will begin writing words and simple sentences. Teachers will be able to teach students how to spell words correctly and form sentences that are grammatically correct. As their language competence develops, they will be able to form more complex sentences. Besides, they will learn how to express themselves using more advanced vocabulary. Committing errors now is significant, and it should be avoided as much as possible. They need to understand and be able to use the rules of grammar correctly. Once they master the rules of forming correct sentences, the accuracy of their spoken and written language will improve. They will manage communicating with others effectively using appropriate and advanced words. At the same time, they will be able to write longer and more extended pieces of writing, including paragraphs, essays, letters and more. Their experience in learning their first language will further assist them in putting their ideas and thoughts into words which means that they can be fully understood by their surroundings. This also means that they will be able to use their imagination in narrating stories and experiences both orally and in writing.

2- Second language acquisition: There is a plenty of methods and techniques used in second language teaching and learning. I personally think that it is a process that should occur deductively, meaning that learners should first be exposed to the language itself before teaching its structure and fundamental rules. Therefore, there should not be a huge emphasis on learning grammar at the beginning of the language learning process since the main purpose of second language acquisition is to be able to be understood by others, including those who are natives of the language to be learnt. This, of course, does not alter the fact that grammar is an essential part of teaching and learning a new language mainly because we simply cannot learn a language without the knowledge of its structure. Learners should learn how to form phrases, sentences, paragraphs, etc that are grammatically and structurally correct in order to connect effectively with others. The process of learning the grammar of any language is accumulative and happens progressively over time. Learners should master basic grammar rules before moving to more advanced ones. Before introducing any grammatical rule, teachers should provide students with a context that properly fits the language they aim to teach. Later, they can start presenting the grammatical rules and teach its different applications. Learners should be able to use the grammatical rule by giving them different practices and activities that reinforce what they have learned. For younger learners, these activities are encouraged to be in the form of games so that learners will feel less stressed about getting the rules right. For older learners, on the other hand, we can include gap fills and drilling activities. Furthermore, Grammatical errors should be corrected immediately from early stages and avoided as much as possible so that they will not be fossilized. In other words, errors should not become as a habit for learners and be used subconsciously as if they were the correct forms. As mentioned earlier, language learning is an accumulative process, and this is so true when it comes to learning grammar. It should not be introduced in a linear additive manner but rather should be regularly revised and reintroduced. Along with grammar, vocabulary plays a significant role in second language acquisition. Therefore, teachers should encourage reading and listening beyond the syllabus requirements at all levels. As they offer inputs learners can comprehend and sustain, help in the growth of their vocabulary and contribute to the improvement of other aspects of language, such as writing and speaking. Having a syllable that is comprehensive and appropriate to the level of students is important in language teaching and learning. A very well-made syllabus can assist both teachers and learners in obtaining the goals and objectives required by the course. A language course should primarily include 7 components that are intended to improve learners' language competency: grammar, vocabulary, reading, functions, writing and speaking. I also believe that linguistics is of great importance in language teaching since it helps teachers explain the language’s components and structures to the learners.