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When we think about learning a new language we often only think about sitting in a classroom performing language drills and practicing exercises out of a text book. However, learning a new language requires a lot more than that, and in fact the real long lasting learning takes place by being exposed to the language, much like the learning of one’s native language. Language acquisition is a process in which makes it possible for us to understand and use the language in a meaningful way in order to communicate with others. Most children start learning their native language much earlier than when they enroll in school, and also earlier than they could even start writing. That is possible due to kids being exposed to the language naturally, by interacting with parents and other family members. Although some exercises during second language learning try to mimic these interactions and drills involving stories, songs, rhymes, and etc. It is the form in which is presented to a child that makes the difference, in a much more natural and effortless way, and through repetition the child will eventually start to acquire the language. The main difference between learning a first language versus learning a second language is the fact that there is a clear need to learn the native language, whereas a second language usually needs an external motivation to learn. So, in the first case it is considered language acquisition, as for the second case the knowledge gained in a classroom is often learned. When children start to speak their native language, they are unaware of grammatical structures and rules, so the only purpose for their use of the language is to understand and communicate with parents and family. In language learning (as it happens with the second language), they are conscious of the knowledge they are being exposed to, and they can explain what they are learning, however, it is not necessarily communicative. In other words, they can take tests and pass them, but not in fact speak the language. So the best way to learn (acquire) a language is through a context. That means being immersed in the language the student is learning as much as possible. The most obvious way to do it is to create a need to learn the language, such as living in the country that language is spoken. This will undoubtedly create a need to use the language to communicate with others in public, personal relationships, professional relationships and everything in between. This acquisition will occur naturally and unconsciously, to the point the student might not even realize they are learning, as they use the language in real situations and in a context. This is not to say that having a structure during this process, like lessons, exercises and drills won’t assist in this acquisition. After all knowing grammar rules and structures, expressions and so on are also important in order to communicate efficiently, so in order to master a second language more efficiently the learner must have a balance of both classroom work and exposure to the language in the real world. Sources: www.everythingesl.net www.brighthubeducation.com/language-learning-tips/86067-language-acquisition-principles-for-ell/
