Second language learning is an immensely complex phenomenon (Mitchell and Myles,

2001). There are many theories that support to find out more about second language learning.
One of them is the theory from Spolsky. Bernard Spolsky is Professor Emeritus in the
Department of English Literature and Linguistics, Bar-Ilan University, Israel.
Spolsky was educated at Wellington College and Victoria University and received a Ph.D. in
Linguistics from the University of Montreal. Theory from Spolsky 1989, ‘general theory of
second language learning’ which is representated in a model.
The model illustrates that there is a relationship between contextual factors, individual learner
differences, learning opportunites, and learning outcomes.
Five features of Spolsky’s model
1. Combining in a single theory all aspects of SL or FL learning.
2. A restriction to the specific domain of SL learning and focus on individual differnces.
3. An assumption that “all many parts of the model apply to specific kind of learning,
and that there is a close interaction among various parts of the model.
4. A spirit of eclectisism seems to underlie spolsky’s model.
The model recognizes the importance and existence of “social context” as an important
domain affecting learning outcomes
The boxes show the factors considered as the significant for learning, that is, where variation
can lead to differences in success or failure. We can see from the social context, from our
social context, namely how our lives have been so far, it will lead us to a variety of attitudes.
The learner’s attitude toward a foreign language are one of the important variables which
affect the success of learning a language.
There are two groups of attitude:
a. educational attitude, toward teachers, the course, learning language and so on.
b. Social attitude involve attitudes which focus on the social implication of second
language acquisition.
The attitude that we get as a result of our social environment is the attitude that will further
determine and raise our motivation in learning a second language. Motivation is one which
comes from learner’s own persona, but also can comes from outside and beyond individual.
Once we have motivation, then there are several more factors such as age, personality,
abilities, and previous knowledge that will determine the learning opportunities we can get.
From the age factor, of course, a young age will have more opportunities and convenience in
learning a second language, but adults rate of acquisition is faster than children, particularly
in morphology and syntax.
Personality factors, personality differences of each person of course also affect their learning
opportunities. Those who has negative or positive attitude toward learning process will affect
that person interaction during the learning process.
Ability, someone who has more ability certainly has more opportunities to learn better. Like
in school, those who have better grades will have a greater chance of getting into a good
school. While the ability is less, they have to try even more.
Previous knowledge plays an important role in a further process of language learning, in
terms of language learning achievement. Those who have more knowledge are certainly more
receptive to the material than people who do not have too much previous knowledge.
After we know the factors of age, personality, abilities, and general knowledge, then we will
get the opportunity to learn. For this learning opportunity, the social context is also very
influential. It could be that only from our social context we can get guaranteed learning
opportunities.
All the factors that have been described will determine the output of learners. Whether it's
good or bad, it all depends on how learners deal with these factors.