Diets Joshua Christopher

Reading Report 3

Theories of Second Language Acquisition

Second language acquisition (SLA) is not the same with first language acquisition.

Learning second language means we learn a new language. Beside of learning new language as a

second language, we also will learn about new culture, new way of thinking, new way of feeling,

new way of acting, new linguistic system, and so on. Learning second language is somewhat

more complex than learning first language. We must understand some theories about second

language acquisition in order to help us to learn it. There are so many separate but interrelated

factors. The certain factors which also set of domains of consideration in a theory of second

language acquisition are: a theory of SLA includes an understanding of what language, learning,

and teaching are; children’s knowledge of first language provides essential insights to an

understanding of SLA; the way people view and reveal themselves in communication affect both

the quantity and quality of second language learning; etc.

A theory of SLA is an interrelated set of hypotheses about how people become proficient

in a second language. Some claims according to the research findings on SLA are: adults and

adolescents can acquire a second language, the learner creates a systematic interlanguage,

practice does not make perfect, and so on.

Second language acquisition is as much a dynamic, complex, nonlinear system as are

physics, biology, and other sciences. In other word, learning second language is not that easy as

we think, so we need extra work in that process. Our learning style and strategies will determine

our successful during the process of our second language learning. We also must be able to

distinguish between input and intake. Input is like getting information from something, for

example; reading books, listening to a conversation, or watching movies. But intake is what we

take with us and can later remember. So, it is good if our input can be converted our intake. After
Diets Joshua Christopher
Reading Report 3

that, it is much better when we able to output what we have learn; for example, we use our

language knowledge to speak, write, or others. So, there are implicit linguistic knowledge, when

a person gets the information about language from learning, and also explicit knowledge, when a

person knows about language and able to articulate it in some way.

Another factor that affect our second language learning is interaction. The more we

interact with others, the more skill of language we will get. Interaction and input are two major

players or two essential things in second language acquisition. Interaction is the basis for the

development of linguistic rules.

After we know about some theories, we must put it into practice. All information and

understanding about language that has been constructed by professors and researchers should be

taught to others, so as a part of community, we are not only become a learner, but also a teacher.

Personal Reflection

Those theories are important for us to be understood to deepen our knowledge and to

inform us about this second language acquisition. It is pretty more difficult to learn it rather than

we learn our first language because many of many aspects, but it is really useful because we are

not only acquiring new language, but also acquiring other new things. There is process in it, so

we cannot learn it just in a short period of time, well, maybe except for those who have a good

intellectual and skill ability, and really diligent too, but for most people, they need a long period

time of learning so they could master it since a theory stated that second language acquisition is a

complex process.

Practice is a really important. The theories only the foundation of our learning, so we

would know what to do from the information and knowledge. By practicing, we are sharpened

our second language skill just like how children learn first language.