Second language acquisition
Though SLA is often viewed as part of applied linguistics, it is typically concerned with the language system and learning processes themselves, whereas applied linguistics may focus more on the experiences of the learner, particularly in the classroom. Additionally, SLA has mostly examined naturalistic acquisition, where learners acquire a language with little formal training or teaching.
Investigating second language acquisition
Through the descriptive study of learner language, SLA researchers seek to better understand language acquisition without recourse to factors outside learner language. Researchers may adopt an interlanguage perspective, exploring learner language as a linguistic system, or they may study how learner language compares to the target language.
Three fundamental issues in SLA today are:
- The extent to which the acquisition of a second language is similar to first language acquisition (FLA);
- Why ultimate attainment in a second language typically falls short of a native speaker's competence (fossilisation);
- Why second language performance and ultimate attainment are highly variable across native language, context of acquisition and individual speakers.
Error analysis was a component of contrastive analysis, sometimes known as the 'weak' version of the contrastive analysis hypothesis. The 'strong' version sought to predict rather than explain errors, using the differences between the learners' first and second languages.
they fossilise, i.e. stop somewhere short of nativelike proficiency, with their performance apparently impervious to correction.