Second language acquisition and development

yawa baga

1. Multilingual Language Acquisition : Bilingual Development, The role of age Bilingualism and Cognitive Development

2. Many believe that children are natural language learners. There are specific widow of time that the language acquisition is efficient. We are born with tabula rasa. Younger receive constant feedback and correction. However, older learner, often learn in formal setting. While the brain brain’s plasticity is higher during childhood, it remains throughout life The role of age

3. Bilingual Development Bilingual language development occurs when a young child is learning to speak two languages. This can mean 2 languages in one home, or one language at home and another language in another setting such as school or their parent’s work. There are two main categories of bilingual language development or language learning: Simultaneous: when a child is learning two languages at the same time, often from infancy. For example a family that speaks both English and Arabic at home daily. Sequential: when a child learns one language, then later learns a second language. For example a child learns English at home, and then enrolls in a Spanish-immersion kindergarten class.

4. Bilingualism How Bilingualism Develops: 1. Early Childhood Exposure- Natural bilingualism through exposure to two languages from birth or early age. 2. Education- Formal instruction in two languages through immersion or second language learning programs. 3. Cultural or Social Context- Exposure to multiple languages in multilingual communities or through social interactions. 4. Migration- Learning a new language in a new country while maintaining the native language spoken at home.

5. 1. Cognitive Flexibility- Enhances the ability to adapt to new situations. 2. Enhanced Executive Function- the ability to manage multiple tasks or information. 3. Cultural Awareness and Social Benefits- ability to form relationships in diverse social contexts. 4. Career Opportunities- Expands job prospects and opportunities for career advancement in a globalized world. 5. Delay in Cognitive Decline- Slows the onset of age-related mental deterioration. . Benefits of Bilingualism

6. 1. Balanced Bilingualism- Equal proficiency in both languages across all areas of use (speaking, reading, writing, and listening), with no clear dominance of one language over the other. 2. Passive Bilingualism- The ability to understand a second language but not actively use it in speech or writing; receptive comprehension without productive use. 3. Functional Bilingualism- The ability to use a second language effectively for specific purposes or in particular settings, even if overall proficiency in the language is not high. Other Definition of Bilingualism

7. What is Cognitive development? Cognitive development is learning to think, learn, and solve problems. An example of cognitive development is when a child learns to recognize shapes and colors , then later, as they grow older, uses that knowledge to solve puzzles and make choices about what fits together. Cognitive Development

8. Improved Cognitive development Speaking multiple languages helps people become better in thinking, because switching between languages strengthens their mental flexibility. Culture Sensitivity Speaking multiple languages helps people better understand different cultures by awareness through cultural environments.

9. Degree of cognitive adaptability Speaking multiple languages trains the brain to adapt quickly, enhancing creative thinking and problem-solving skills by encouraging people to approach situations from different perspectives. Conclusion Multilingualism enhances cognitive skills and cultural understanding.

10. References List: Goldstein B. (2004), Bilingual language development and disorders in spanish-english speakers. P.H. Brookes Pub.

YOW, W., & MARKMAN, E. (2011). Bilingualism and children’s use of paralinguistic cues to interpret emotion in speech, Bilingualism: Language and Cognition, 14(4), 562-569. doi:10.1017/S1366728910000404 Kovács , Á. M., & Mehler , J. (2009). Cognitive gains in 7-month-old bilingual infants. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(16), 6556-6560. Poulin -Dubois, D., Blaye , A., Coutya , J., & Bialystok, E. (2011). The effects of bilingualism on toddlers’ executive functioning. Journal of experimental child psychology, 108(3), 567-579.

11. Byers-Heinlein, K., & Lew-Williams, C. (2013). Bilingualism in the Early Years: What the Science says. LEARNing landscapes. Retrieved September 16, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6 Zhao, A. H. Q., Morgan, C., & Department of Education, The University of Bath. (2002). Consideration of age in L2 attainment – children, adolescents and adults. In Department of Education, the University of Bath [Journal-article]. https://www.asian-efl-journal.com/Dec_04_ahqz.pdf Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, August 5). Bilingualism. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/bilingualism

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