UNIT 12: DIFFERENCES BETWEEN L1 AND L2 LEARNING

Many people, both learners and teachers, have wondered during long times which are the differences between learning L1 and L2, because when we learn in L1 (first language) we tend to learn and understand contexts in a different way than in L2 (Second language) also taking into account the age each of us have, which also influence on it.

I already knew that age is a decisive factor in language learning, however it was interesting and useful to know that the ways of learning and the contexts a learner actually learns in also have impact. Talking about age, in L1 it occurs since the learner is a baby as he is exposed to what will be his mother tongue and develop his cognitive skills at the same time, is also present in childhood and finally in adolescence for some kind of language skill like writing in an academic and logical way, because they are motivated to learn as they need to communicate with their families, friends, teachers, etc. Whereas in L2, it usually starts on the firsts years of school or highschool and could be also present in adulthood. Furthermore, by the time a learner learns L2 he has already developed most of his cognitive skills and is mature enough to at least produce at least a little L2 language.

L1 is also learned by exposure, interaction and picking it up as we grow up, while in L2 exposure and interaction not always completely work and some specific language items need to be taught as well as motivation needs to be implanted in learners if required. Also in L1 a learner is rarely corrected by others and most of the time people tend to reformulate some ideas, whereas in L2 teachers often correct learners, sometimes they don’t do it accurately.

One of the ways I will implement this on my future teachings will have to do with what age learners are. For young learners I will use exposure and interaction, which will provide them many benefits. If learners are older or adults, I will use the focus on form (form of the language) technique with more abstract ways along with interaction and some exposure.

Some extra information available on the following web sites:

• Cook, V. (2009) First and second language acquisition. Retrieved from:

• Perren, G, E. (2010) The Mother Tongue and Other Languages in Education.

• V.Cook (2000) Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition: One Person with Two Languages.