Introduction: Although, there is no agreed definition of language among linguists, but we can say that language is the most sophisticated way of communication between any two human beings and far more complex than any other system of communication. The ability of acquiring and using languages is one of the properties that differs us as human beings from other species.
Acquiring the first language is much easier than acquiring any second language as it comes “naturally” after birth. The child passes through different stages before acquiring the language till he masters it. Children follow a predictive language development through their language acquisition but it can vary from a child to another according to the external surroundings especially in the early stages.
In this essay, we will discuss the different stages of language acquisition. There are five main stages that any child passes through to acquire the first language and these stages are:
1. Pre-language stage.
2. Babbling.
3. The one word stage.
4. The two word stage:
5. From telegraph to infinity.
1. Pre- language stage: The pre –language or the pre-speech stage is the period from about three months to six months. We can call this period the zero stage because in this period the child is only a listener and he does not produce understandable sounds. The only sounds that the child produces in this period are crying and screaming. At this stage, the child usually reacts to any speech
Children’s language development usually begins in their first three months. They will begin by learning to use their voice and enjoying vocal play. Babies will watch faces and mouths to try and copy movements and sounds.
Language is a method in which individuals communicate in order to get their opinion across to the listening party. Language is the tool which ideas can be conveyed in various ways. Typically, language is referred to verbal communication, however, it ranges to all methods of communication i.e. sign language.
Language development is related to this stage because language learning starts at birth. They listen to the speech of those close to them, and startle or cry if there is an unexpected noise.
Since, the second language is an additional language after we acquire the first language, the L2 learning process can be influenced by the L1 learning process This essay will demonstrate the similarities and differences in L1 and L2 acquisition by discussing various theories. Then, draw a conclusion based on the evidence provided and my own experience.
Many second language acquisition theories have been developed over the years. These theories examine the avenues in which second language is acquired and the avenues in which they are
In our everyday lives, the origin of our ability to communicate is usually not often taken into consideration. One doesn't think about how every person has, or rather had at one time, an innate ability to learn a language to total fluency without a conscious effort – a feat that is seen by the scientific community "as one of the many utterly unexplainable mysteries that beset us in our daily lives" (3).. Other such mysteries include our body's ability to pump blood and take in oxygen constantly seemingly without thought, and a new mother's ability to unconsciously raise her body temperature when her infant is placed on her chest. But a child's first language acquisition is different from these
Language is something that we need and use for everything in our lives. Language is, “a symbolic communication system that is learned instead of biologically inherited.” (O’Neil, 2006). Language is communication that is either written down or spoken in words or sentences. We need to have a good understanding of language to learn, work and for our normal lives. You need to know language to be able to communicate with other people. Language has structure and meaning, for example words and sentences. Language also had tone, pitch, pace and volume. There are several types of language, receptive language, expressive language, emergent language. Receptive language is how you receive and understand language and expressive language is how
As a child develops along their journey to acquire language, they go through several steps, of which all are crucial to the successful mastering of their native tongue. There is debate over whether the period of acquisition known as babbling is the first or second stage – Berk (1991) mentions that they class babbling as the first stage, but note that there is a previous stage before that, known as the ‘cooing’ stage; following this, this essay will refer to babbling as the second stage of language acquisition. To introduce a general overview of this particular stage, Berk (1991) explains that cooing usually develops into babbling at around 6
Then, cooing appears when the child is between six to eight weeks old, where the infant demonstrates happy vowel like sounds (Hoff, 2006). At age sixteen weeks infants begin to demonstrate laughter and vocal play (Hoff, 2006). Between six and nine month old babies begin to produce babbling sounds, then they utter their first word around age one (Hoff, 2006). When children speak their first word it is usually as an isolated unit (Goldin-Meadow, 2006), and not considered a major step in phonological development (Hoff, 2006). Children then learn that their first spoken word is composed of smaller parts, which is known as morphology, and that the word can be used as a building block for larger sentences called syntax (Goldin-Meadow, 2006). A child’s first word goes farther then communicating a message between the child and communicative partner, the word retains symbolic meaning (Goldin-Meadow, 2006). At age eighteen months phonological processes develop, in which the child’s speech characteristics begin to transform (Hoff, 2006). Subsequent to eighteen months the child’s vocabulary grows and with this growth the child is able to phonemically represent a sound with the mental representation of every word that possesses a sound (Hoff, 2006).
According to Zukowski (2013), language development refers to the process of learning in early life where infants acquire various forms, meaning and word usage. In addition, language refers to the different utterances in regards to linguistic input. Language development in childhood focuses on major arguments in
In most general terms second language acquisition (L2A) challenges the similarity to first language acquisition (L1A). It is found that L1A is usually successful with all normal children, but in L2A results can be controversial.
Learning a new language today is the key of several doors tomorrow. It involves an obvious amount of effort for anyone, either a child or an adult, but the younger the person, the easier it is – after all, does anyone remember learning to speak in his or her mother tongue? During childhood the brain is constantly creating new neurological connections, making the process of acquiring a new language effortless, but if we learn a language as a teenager or adult, the brain has to 'scramble' to find storage space somewhere else. So, in simple terms, learning languages as a child the brain absorbs them readily, after that it requires much harder work. This short period of time which occurs from birth until puberty (10 years) is called
BICS is Basic Interpersonal communication skills, they are language skills which are needed in a daily basis to interact socially with others. BICS is basic interpersonal communication skills. It is the most basic form of communication and relies on gestures, facial expressions and body language to enhance or support the meaning of words (Brown-Chidsey and Bickford, 2015). BICS can take between 2 and 4 years to achieve. These skills are the ones which are the most essential to daily survival, such as, knowing how to locate the bathroom in another language is an example of BICS. BICS are skills that ELL 's need in order to get through each day in a second language.
With the rise of globalisation, English has become the Lingua Franca as a tool to communicate among people from different countries in numerous situations and areas (Nikolov & Djigunovic, 2006, p.234). Therefore, people in various countries are closely connected economically, politically and culturally and many people are required to acquire a foreign language. As a result, there have been many researches and evidence on whether age has a great impact on second language acquisition. This essay will illustrate neurological, phonological and affective factors and the Critical Period Hypothesis as evidence that children have advantages in second language acquisition. In contrast, cognitive theories will be stated to illustrate how adult learners have advantages in many second learning strategies (Comrie & Corbett, 2009, p.12). Thirdly, it will suggest two second language acquisition methods inspired by children?s first language learning, which are Total physical Response and Natural Approach, because despite their limitations, they contain useful lessons from children?s first language acquisition such as raising interest and lowering learners? stress. Finally, this essay will assert that considering neurological, phonological and affective evidence and witnessing children?s natural and effortless language acquisition, overall children surpass adults in second language acquisition. Therefore, it is wise to elect useful factors from
Language is one of the valuable gifts which have been passed to children. The first language is significant and builds the basis for all later language progresses. Parents, family members and early childhood professionals have very important role on the development and maintenance of the first language. Studies shows that knowing one language can assist the child to comprehend how other languages work. First or home language is