Language acquisition principles.
In an article titled: “Sensitive and advantageous periods in first language learning: What are the implications for very young Japanese learners of English?” As obtained from the International Journal of language, society and culture issue 16-2006 lays emphasis on the importance of exposing learners of English as a second language to the second language at their critical period.
Introduction
English is an international language spoken widely in the world. It is used in most countries for commerce especially international trade, education and technological developments. For these reasons many countries have seen the need of having their citizens to learn English. This is done by incorporating compulsory English language learning in educational curriculums.
The article focuses on how English language learners (ELL) can easily acquire the language in Japan. Japanese having realized the advantages that come with the knowledge of English are caring out extensive studies to determine how their children can be bilinguals, despite being in a largely monolingual environment.
The article also emphasizes the need for more exposure to English to ensure smooth learning. The writer says that children with more exposure to English other than class exposure are better suited to learn English faster. There is emphasis though on bilingual programs, with emphasis being put on age and the understanding of the functioning of the brain as related in language learning. According to the article, learners should be exposed to these bilingual programs at between age 0 to six which is said to be the most sensitive stage in language acquisition.
There has been debate though on whether their can be a critical period in second language learning as in the first language. Researchers despite this debate agree that language learning becomes difficult as one advances in age. Acquisition of two languages at the critical period is supported by Chomsky’s innateness theory which claims that children are born with an innate ability to acquire languages. This innateness is in the biases and strategies of language learning. This is stated as a very important ability for learners to acquire a second language simultaneously to their own. (Chomsky and Lasnik, 1993).
The article also notes a distinction between two concepts that explain language learning. These concepts put a distinction between the critical or the sensitive period and the post critical period. The best time for language acquisition according to the article is this critical period. This as also the period that children acquire their first languages. Individuals past this period which is said to be below the age of seven experiences some increased level of difficulty in learning a second language.
The article critics control studies in determining the sensitive periods of language acquisition. This they would inhibit normal social and cognitive development.
Another case in point in this article that supports the critical period is the use of deaf children using sign language. Those exposed to this language from birth performed better grammatically than those exposed at a later stage. (Baker, 2001).
Generally this article emphasizes on the point that the ability to learn a language is lost as one gets older. The best time for learning a language is below the age of seven.
As an English teacher, knowledge on how the brain functions may give you a lee way on which strategies to use in teaching English to a particular class. Teachers can also come up with curriculums that begin at kindergarten and methods of sustaining performance in and out of class room to acquire English competence
The notion of children acquiring a native speaker’s competence of English if exposed to the language to the critical period is a bit overstretched. This is because; both native children and non-native children make some noticeable mistakes that an adult non-native speaker would not make. It is also hard to determine competence since it is a theoretical notion. Learners exposed to English at the critical stage can acquire native speaker’s accent easily but an older learner will acquire competence better due to conscious learning. So it is debatable to say that an older speaker cannot acquire a native speaker’s competence.
In conclusion, other factors other than age should be considered in second language learning. The speaker’s native language like in this case Japanese may have either a negative or positive effect on the learning of English. It is very vital then to put into consideration these other factors in studying learning English or any other language as a second language.
References
Baker M. (2001). The Atoms of Language: The Mind's Hidden Rules of Grammar. London: Oxford University press.
Chomsky, N. and Lasnik, H. (1993). Principles and Parameters Theory in Syntax: New York: The press wise Trust.
