Language Learning: Key Factors Influencing Acquisition
Learner Factors Influencing Language Acquisition
Factors Influencing Second Language Acquisition
Introduction
Some students acquire a new language more quickly and easily than others. This is evident to anyone who has learned a second language or taught students using their second language. While determination, hard work, and persistence are crucial, other factors beyond the learner’s control significantly influence success. These factors are broadly categorized as internal and external, and their complex interplay determines the speed and ease of language acquisition.
Internal Factors
Internal factors are individual characteristics that learners bring to the learning situation:
- Age: Children with solid literacy skills in their native language often acquire new languages efficiently. Motivated older learners can also succeed, but may struggle with native-speaker pronunciation and intonation.
- Personality: Introverted or anxious learners may progress slower, especially in oral skills. They might avoid speaking opportunities. Outgoing students are more likely to take risks and practice, despite making mistakes.
- Motivation:
- Intrinsic: Intrinsic motivation strongly correlates with educational achievement. Students who enjoy language learning and take pride in their progress tend to perform better.
- Extrinsic: Extrinsic motivation is also significant. For example, ESL students needing English for university or communication with someone are likely to exert more effort and progress further.
- Experiences: Learners with broader knowledge and experience have a stronger foundation for language acquisition. Students exposed to various languages and cultures have an advantage over those without such experiences.
- Cognition: Students with greater cognitive abilities generally progress faster. Some linguists believe in an innate language learning ability that varies among individuals.
- Native Language: Learners whose native language is from the same family as the target language typically find it easier. For instance, a Dutch speaker may learn English faster than a Japanese speaker.
External Factors
External factors characterize the language learning environment:
- Curriculum: ESL students benefit from a curriculum tailored to their needs. Immersion in the mainstream program without support or exclusion until a certain proficiency level can hinder progress.
- Instruction: Effective language teachers provide appropriate learning experiences, leading to faster progress. Mainstream teachers who support students’ language development also contribute to their linguistic growth.
- Culture and Status: Students in situations where their culture has a lower status than the target language culture may progress slower.
- Motivation (Extrinsic): Encouragement from teachers and parents promotes learning. Students from families that undervalue language learning may progress slower.
- Access to Native Speakers: Interaction with native speakers inside and outside the classroom is advantageous. Native speakers serve as linguistic models and provide feedback. Limited access to native speakers can hinder oral/aural language acquisition.