Find out about the Difference between Language Learning and Acquisition.

Language Learning and Acquisition are two different processes. Find out more about them!

In this post I will describe what language learning and acquisition mean and what the important differences between these two processes are.

Language learning takes place in a classroom. The teacher gives a direct explanation of the grammar rules of language and then asks learners to do exercises based on those rules, read and retell texts, and learn words. Then the teacher will test their learning, pointing out the learners' mistakes and making red-pen corrections in their notebooks. In language learning, the learners have conscious control over language. They think first before using language. The learners can provide an explanation to different language phenomena. Unfortunately, they don't get a feel for the language, and won't be able to communicate using the language.

Language acquisition, on the other hand, provides learners with the source of natural communication in a real world environment. It is a subconscious process. The learners don't need to strengthen their brains to memorize complicated grammar rules and a bunch of disconnected words. They just need to hear natural speech where all grammar structures, phrases, words immerse, respond to them, and gradually acquire them. Did you not acquire your native language in this way? Your caregiver used to talk to you and you gradually started to respond to them, getting the feeling of your native language. 

Being an English as a Second Language learner myself, I had a chance to experience both processes: language learning and language acquisition. Personally, I favor language acquisition. My language learning was a time-consuming process which hardly brought positive results. I was able to do language tests correctly, but could not speak even after 5 years of the English Language learning. I acquired English only after meeting with native English language speakers from the U.S. in Western Germany. There I had a chance to use the English Language in different situations of communication. I was grateful to my new American friend; they never corrected my mistakes, but supported all my attempts to speak. At last I started to feel and speak English.

Your learner will benefit from acquiring language in natural communication too. You are a native speaker, you are a possessor of a great instrument, the English Language. With the help of this instrument you can create lots of real - world situations, involve your learner in talking, not being afraid to make mistakes, and they will do wonders.

Happy tutoring!

Tatyana Pavlova

Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics/ Bashkir State University

MA Education/ESL 2014, Cambridge College

ENGLISH AT LARGE
Literacy and Learning for Life
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