Second Language Acquisition

Second language acquisition (SLA) concerns the learning of any language in addition to one's first language. The word second, therefore, has a broad denotation, referring to literally a second language, as well as a third, fourth, and so on. Language here refers to the linguistic system of the target language, that is, the language to be learned. Acquisition means gaining a command of that system, including being able to use it for communication, fluently, accurately, and appropriately. SLA can happen in a variety of contexts: It can happen without explicit instruction, in an immersion environment where the target language is spoken, in a classroom where the target language is the object of instruction and learning, or in a mixed environment where the learner has access ...