ABSTRACT

Linguists have differentiated between language acquisition and

language learning. Language acquisition refers to mother tongue
or first language which is most commonly acquired by
subconscious method. Rules and grammar are not a part of this
learning. It takes place by the means of natural communication
and the speaker develops a sense of what is or what isn’t correct.
Usage of language becomes more important than the use of
language.

On the other hand, language learning is less communicative and

more focus is given to grammar and rules through instructions. It
is a conscious process and unlike language acquisition- which
produces language ability- language learning produces language
knowledge.

In this report, we have tried to prove this difference by conducting

interviews with language speakers of more than one language.

While analyzing the interviews, individual differences have also

been kept into consideration. Individual differences refer to
individual’s ability to learn language, as some learners learn
language spontaneously, without making a deliberate effort, while
others seem to need guidance, teaching and concentrated
attention.
 INTRODUCTION

LANGUAGE ACQUISITION:

Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire to

perceive and comprehend language as well as to produce and
use words and sentences to communicate. Language acquisition
usually refers to first-language acquisition, which studies infants’
acquisition of their native language or mother-tongue.

LANGUAGE LEARNING:

Language acquisition is distinguished from second-language

learning, which deals with the learning (in both children and
adults) of additional languages. It involves rules of grammar and
instructions of how to use the language.

METHODOLOGY

An interview was conducted with two speakers of more than one

language. Both the speakers have different social background
and a different approach to learning a second language.
 INTERVIEW 1

INTERVIEWER: S.A.G
INTERVIEWEE: MS F.H
INTERVIEWEE AGE: 22 years
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: ENGLISH, URDU
S.A.G: What are your first and second languages?

MS F.H: My mother tongue is Urdu but I learnt English as my first

language and Urdu as my second language.

S.A.G: How did you acquire your mother tongue?

MS F.H: By listening and having conversation with my family, but not

from an early age.

S.A.G: Did you learn the grammar of your mother tongue?

MS F.H: Yes, after I started primary education.

S.A.G: Were you instructed about your first-language if it was right or

wrong?

MS F.H: Yes, my parents and teachers corrected my pronunciation

and grammar when I spoke something incorrectly.

S.A.G: Did you learn the second language from the native speakers of
that language?

MS F.H: Yes, I did.

 INTERVIEW 2

INTERVIEWER: S.A.G
INTERVIEWEE: MR S
INTERVIEWEE AGE: 40 years
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: URDU, ENGLISH

S.A.G: What are your first and second languages?

MR S: My mother tongue is Urdu and my second language is English.

S.A.G: How did you acquire your mother tongue?

MR S: I learnt it from my family and people around me.

S.A.G: Did you learn the grammar of your mother tongue?

MR S: Not at first, but it was a requirement after I started grade 3.

S.A.G: Were you instructed about your first-language if it was right or

wrong?

MR S: Not at an early age, I was appreciated for speaking most of the

time.

S.A.G: Did you learn the second language from the native speakers of
that language?

MR S: No, I didn’t.
S.A.G: Did you learn that language starting from your childhood?

MR S: Yes, I did. As soon as I started school.

S.A.G: Did you learn the grammar rules of your second-language?

MR S: Yes, I had to learn them. First, indirectly and then directly.

S.A.G: Were you exposed to the culture of that language?

MR S: Yes, I was, but after I was 18 years old.

S.A.G: How much time did it take for you to learn that language?

MR S: About 1 year.

S.A.G: What challenges you had to face while learning that language?

MR S: I was made fun of by my peers for speaking in a wrong accent

and using incorrect pronunciation. In addition, I couldn’t convey my
thoughts or express myself like I wanted to.

S.A.G: What difference did you feel in getting used to both the
languages?

MR S: it was easy for me to learn and understand my first language

as it was spoken by my family members and people around me. It was
a bit tough to grasp my second language as I was exposed to it later
than my first language.
S.A.G: What difference did you feel in getting used to both the
languages?

MR S: Getting used to my first language was much easier. I could

speak and express my feelings.

Getting used to the second language seemed almost impossible at

first but then eventually I became used to it.

S.A.G: How good are you listening, speaking, reading and writing
skills in both the languages?

MR S: I have complete command over my first language and I,m

proficient at my second language.
S.A.G: How good are you listening, speaking, reading and writing
skills in both the languages?

MS F.H:I have complete command over both the languages.

S.A.G: Did you learn that language starting from your childhood?

MS F.H: No, I didn’t.

S.A.G: Did you learn the grammar rules of your second-language?

MS F.H: Yes, as soon as I started secondary education.

S.A.G: Were you exposed to the culture of that language?

MS F.H: Yes, I was.

S.A.G: How much time did it take for you to learn that language?

MS F.H: About 1 year.

S.A.G: What challenges you had to face while learning that language?

MS F.H: I was made fun of by my peers for speaking in a wrong

accent and using incorrect pronunciation. In addition, I couldn’t convey
my thoughts or express myself like I wanted to.

S.A.G: What difference did you feel in getting used to both the
languages?

MS F.H: it was easy for me to learn and understand my first language

as it was spoken by my family members and people around me. It was
a bit tough to grasp my second language as I was exposed to it later
than my first language.
Please answer these questions on the scale of 1-5
(1 being the easiest or least proficient)
1. First-language acquisition:
MS F.H: 2 MR S: 1
2. Second-language learning:
MS F.H: 5 MR S: 3
3. Grammar rules of first-language:
MS F.H: 3 MR S: 4

4. Grammar rules of second-language:

MS F.H: 4 MR S: 3
5. Getting used to first-language:
MS F.H: 1 MR S: 1
6. Getting used to second-language:
MS F.H: 3 MR S: 3
7. Proficiency in first language:
MS F.H: 5 MR S: 5
8. Proficiency in second-language:
MS F.H: 5 MR S: 4
 CONCLUSION
It has been observed that there is a distinctive difference
between first-language acquisition and second language
learning.
Learning second-language may depend on the following
factors
 Learning from native speakers
 Getting the proper environment
 Learning abilities of a learner, which may be influenced
by age, aptitude, attitude, motivation, intelligence,
personality and cognitive style of a learner.

Proficiency in first and second languages may or may not

differ, depending on the exposure of the learner towards that
language.
Learners feel more comfortable while expressing their views
and feelings in first-language than their second-language.

REFERENCES:
https://www.slideshare.net/ikhfi/individual-differences-and-call

http://www.everythingesl.net/inservices/language_acquisiti_vs_language_02033.php

https://www.eslbase.com/teaching/language-acquisition-vs-language-learning
 PSYCHOLINGUISTICS
CODE: 5655
ASSIGNMENT: 2

PREPARED BY: SABEEN ABDUL GHAFFAR

ROLL NO: BR566956