The document discusses key differences between acquiring a first language (L1) and acquiring a second language (L2). It notes that L1 acquisition is a natural and unconscious process that occurs as children learn to communicate, while L2 learning involves more conscious learning through formal instruction. Age is also a major factor, as children's brains are most plastic and able to acquire language naturally before puberty, whereas adults associate the L2 with their L1. Motivation and anxiety can also influence L2 acquisition.

1. Acquisition of a
foreign language.

2. Summary:
O With
the aim of applying useful and beneficial
techniques in foreign language teaching, it is
important to understand the inner processes of
language acquisition, initially in our mother tongue, so
as to analyse the same processes in second
language acquisition.
O What are we going to go through?
Differences and similarities between the acquisition
of the L1 and L2.
- Factor influence: Age, (infancy or at adulthood),
context (natural social environment, learned in the
classroom, corresponding limitations, etc.), Motivation
and anxiety .
-

3. L1 The first language
acquisition.
O “Learning the first language is but one part of the
young child's overall development into a fullyfledged member of society. Language enables
the child to express feelings, ideas, wishes in a
socially accepted manner‟ (KLEIN, 1986: 5-6).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZatrvNDOiE

4. Features of the acquisition of
L1
O Children learn their native language when
they communicate through other sources :
body language, intonation, gestures, facial
expression

5. The baby human: To talk
O Children learn their native language when
words and phrases are repeated
themselves.
O They are not aware they are learning a
language structure, spontaneous
learning.
O Kids learn their first language practicing and
speaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4J0cf3G7rE

6. Difference between acquisition
and learning.
O Acquisition:
Natural process we said before.
O Learning:
-
It is a conscious process that occurs through
formal classroom instruction which involves
explicit knowledge of a language as a system
-
Internalization of a linguistic and cultural system
through systematic reflection and guided in its
entirety

7. The Natural approach
O Krashen: „The classroom will probably never be
able to completely overcome its limitations, not
does it have to. Its goal is not to substitute for the
outside world, but to bring students to the point
where they can begin to use the outside world
for further acquisition‟ (1987: 59).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTVbdstastI#t=31

8. Different influence factors
O Context:
Lyster “research has clearly demonstrated that
immersion students, regardless of program
type, develop much higher levels of second
language proficiency than do non-immersion
students studying the second language as a regular
subject‟

9. Different influence factors
O Age:
• Between the age of two
and puberty the human
brain
shows
the
plasticity,
which
allows a child to
acquire first language.
(KLEIN) (unconscious
learning)
• Adults have much more difficulty
as there brain is not in the same
point, they associate and make
transference with there own
language to. (conscious)
• Motivation is a very important
fact.

10. Best learning period of L2
O There is a time in human development
when the brain is predisposed for
success
in
language
learning.
Developmental changes in the brain,
affect
the
nature
of
language
acquisition, and language learning that
occurs after the end of the critical
period may not be based on the innate
biological structures believed to
contribute
to
first
language
acquisition‟ (Lightbown and Spada,
2006: 68).

11. Motivation and anxiety in second
language acquisition a fact to have in
to account
O Foreign language learners are prone to
experience a range of emotions and
feelings during this complex process due
to internal and external factors
O If students perceive that a task is difficult
but experience feelings of joy relief or pride
while doing it, they tend to adjust
perceptions and become willing to try new
activities in the future.

12. Bibliography
O http://www2.fe.ccoo.es/andalucia/docu/p5sd8747.p
df
O http://www.tedpower.co.uk/esl0412.html
O http://www.unioviedo.es/aal/archivos_pdf/Tema3%
20AdqAprenLE_completo.pdf
O http://web.ebscohost.com/