UNIT 12
Differences between L1 and
L2 learning
In
this unit I could clarify my doubts about the difference of L1 and L2. After
studying this unit, I learnt that L1 refers to the language we learnt from
birth and can be learnt in different contexts (home, parks, through interaction
with friends, etc.). Learning starts when learners are babies and they keep
improving it through the time. At first they learn language by listening and
interpreting words, by getting lots of prices and by hearing simplified speech
(content words, small phrases) and by hearing and repeating sounds over and
over again. When they are adolescents
they master they language skills because they are able to write academic
writings which make use of formal language.
The motivation to learn language is to be able to communicate and
interact with family, friends, etc. and this learning is always fully
successful. Meanwhile, L2 refers to the second language we learn in addition to
our first language. This language learning mostly starts in primary schools or
in their adulthood. So, adult learners learning a foreign language may have
some motivations as well as reasons that can be for their jobs, for travelling,
or for doing business, etc. They always focus on structures and individual
words and they need to use language immediately after they have been thought
about certain structures, rules, etc. So, this learning is more likely to take
place inside the classroom but sometimes it is not successful as happens
when learning the first language.
Regarding to the teaching process, I will
take into account the different learning styles such as visual (a person who
best learn through seeing things), auditory (who best learn through hearing
sounds, music, voice, ect) and kinesthetic (who learns better by toughing
things) in order to prepare classes that will engage to all the students. For
example, I will use 'touch' game which involves a bag with different items
inside. Then I ask students to describe the items they have in their bags so
that classmates can guess their identity and their asnwers will cause a fun
among all the class. Therefore, this activity will funnily involve to all
students with different learning styles because they will hear, see and touch.
I will also build confidence on the students and encourage them to give their
best even if the language is difficult for them. Motivation is another important strategy that
I will use when teaching to my students L2 learners. Furthermore, it would be
meaningful to try to use activities that are normally used in the culture of
the language they are learning. It will make activities to be more real and
delightful.
Here are some link that explains about the difference between L1 and L2
Ellis 94 (2009) Based on Bley-Vroman (1988), First and second language
acquisition
- http://homepage.ntlworld.com/vivian.c/SLA/L1%20and%20L2.htm
Video: First & Second Language
Acquisition - Marjo Mitsutomi & Minna Kirjavainen
Great!
ReplyDeleteYou write a lot of information which I found so good since it presents all the differences between L1 and L2.
The link containing the contrastive chart between them is awesome. It contains very reduced and explicit data.
Good Job! Rosita
ReplyDeleteI agree with you whe you mention that learning a second language cannot be as successful as learning a first since there are mnay aspects that make them so different, as you have mentioned in your post. However, we as teacher have to try to prepare as many activities to engage them in the second langauge culture similar to the strategies you say you will use with your students. The video has interesting information!
Rosita I like your reflection since it is very clear to understand and it really shows that you have learnt about the specific differences between the learning of the first language and the second!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!
Rosita I enjoyed reading your reflection since it show deep understanding and clear facts. It is esay to notice how much you know about the subject.
ReplyDeleteRosita, great Job...I really appreciate the information that you found with the video this contain a lot of advices....
ReplyDeleteGood reflection Rosita, You give a lot of information on the topic, especially about the learning styles which are very important when planning a class.
ReplyDeleteRosita really good advices, mainly to build students' confidence and encourage them to give their best even if the language is difficult for them. In addition, motivation will be useful, too, when teaching L2 learners since they will feel comforatble to improve by themselves.
ReplyDelete