This document discusses language acquisition in education. It defines language acquisition as the process of learning to perceive, comprehend, produce and use words and sentences to communicate. There are two categories of language acquisition: first and second language acquisition. Second language acquisition involves six steps from pre-production to advanced fluency. Language acquisition is important as it allows children to communicate their feelings, goals and intentions using proper grammar. In 21st century education, teachers apply language acquisition through vocabulary development, guided interaction, modeling thinking skills and using meaningful contexts and themes to engage students. Technology can support language teaching, differentiate instruction and connect classrooms globally to enhance language learning. An example of implementing language acquisition is through the use of blogs for creative writing, peer feedback

1. Language Acquisition
in Education
By: Heidi Buscher, Tori Misiti and Heather Phillips

2. What is Language Acquisition?
• The process by which children, and everyone else for that matter, acquire the capacity to
perceive and comprehend language, as well as producing and using words and sentences to
communicate
• Two categories: First and Second- language acquisition
• In Second- Language Acquisition contains 6 steps: pre-production, early production, speech
emergent, beginning fluency, intermediate fluency and advance fluency

3. Why is it Important?
• Allows children to know what combination of words and sentences are
used when saying what is on their mind, whether it be feelings, goals,
intentions, etc.
• Proper grammar is always appreciated and is important to students
• We care about what the children have to say- and how they say it!
• In general, speaking to one another and communicating is important!

4. How does it apply to 21st Century
Education?
• Through Vocabulary and language development: teachers introduce new concepts by discussing
vocabulary words key to that concept
• Guided Interaction: teachers structure lessons so students work together to understand what they
read
• Metacognition and Authentic Assessment: teachers model and explicitly teach thinking skills
(metacognition) crucial to learning new concepts
• Explicit Instruction: direct teaching of concepts, academic language, and reading comprehension
strategies needed to complete classroom tasks
• Meaning- based context and Universal themes: taking something meaningful from the students’
everyday lives and using it as a springboard to interest them in academic concepts
• Modeling, Graphic organizers and Visuals: helps all student easily recognize essential information
and its relationship to supporting ideas

5. Role of Technology
- to support their teaching, engage students in the learning process, provide authentic examples
of the target culture, and connect their classrooms in the U.S. to classrooms in other countries
where the target language is spoken
- enable teachers to differentiate instruction and adapt classroom activities and homework
assignments, thus enhancing the language learning experience
- Distance learning programs can enable language educators to expand language-learning
opportunities to all students, regardless of where they live, the human and material resources
available to them, or their language background and needs
- assist and enhance language learning

6. Example
- A way to implement language acquisition into the classroom is to use Blogs.
o with blogs students can being using creativity within their writing
o other students can comment on how they can do better with their grammar and sentence structure
o with blogs they can use the snipping tool to screenshot examples to help out fellow students
o also with the blog they would be given specific assignments to do within their blog, at which they would be
graded and would gain constructive criticism

7. Work Cited
“ACTFL.” Role of Technology in Language Learning. Np.,n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.
Carter, Alice S. "The Importance of Early Language for Learning". Literacy Organization. August 1997. Web.
“Language Acquisition: An Overview | ELL Topics from A-Z | ColorinColorado. Colorin Colorado, N.p., n.d. Web. 21. April. 2015
2005, December. Six Key Strategies for Teachers of English-LAnguage Learners (n.d.): n. pa. Web.