6 SOS !!!

As a candidate for teaching English, have you ever thought in which extents foreign language (L2) learning differs from first language (L1) learning? My opinion is that L2 learning is not certainly the same as what happens in L1 process. During writing, I will emphasize on six varieties between L1 and L2 learning and also share some suggestions.

The most important difference between them is related to the process in learning. While L1 has a subconscious and internal process, L2 has a conscious and external one. So, create some opportunities for your students to teach the language subconsciously, such as increasing exposure to language, pushing them to produce more output etc.

While anyone is learning his native language, she has an untouched and clear system waiting to be shaped by her L1; however, any foreign language learner has a system already established and violated by her native language. This is probably one of the most paramount obstacles making foreign language learning process compelling. So, tolerate your students’ errors originating from their L1.

All human beings (except for cognitively disabled ones) are capable of learning any language as their mother tongue as long as they are exposed to it. All languages, such as Turkish, Japanese, English, and French etc. are equally learnable by L1 learners. Is this scenario the same for a foreign language learner? This is not definitely the case for them. A Spanish speaker may have less difficulty learning Italian than she does Japanese. So, think of linguistic complexity of the language you are teaching.

What about the difference between ultimate attainment reached by a first language learner and foreign language learner? Any person can reach a complete state of his native language, but however good she is, a foreign language learner cannot reach the same attainment. At least, effects of native language and fossilization are what will be traced in her foreign language output. So, when you hear the sentence “he comed yesterday”, do not be shocked.

While children are learning their first language, they learn a number of forms, structures, meanings for different situations. On the contrary, a second language user learns just appropriate and specific forms, meanings and structures for the given setting. So, do not expect your learners, particularly beginners, to be great generators in the foreign language.

When motivation is taken into consideration, it does not appear to have a direct impact on success or failure in learning native language. Yet, it is absolutely a significant element in contributing to foreign language learning. So, make use of even the subtle success of your students and motivate them as much as possible.

These are some important points why I find L1 and L2 learning different, there are definitely some more to add to the writing. Yet, these are especially what I would like state for the time being.