Contrasting Language Acquisition from Language Learning: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This work examines the distinction between two seemingly alike but distinctive phenomenon i.e. language learning and language acquisition. Language acquisition is an intuitive route that transpires naturally devoid of any exertion or intention. The person who acquires the language is unaware of the grammatical conventions or the syntactic structure of the language involved during that process. All through the period of Language Acquisition, the learner necessitates a source of natural communication. It puts down emphasis on the memo and not the form that is why it is entitled communicative. Its deep-seated objective is to pass on the message or converse with the people around the apprentice. Language learning on the other hand is cognizant or intentional activity of erudition, a language for one or the erstwhile drive. It examines the factors that influence language acquisition in the two different environments. This includes explication of the age factor and its impact on progress in language acquisition. It also involves studying the language input in terms of quantity and quality in both cases and the limitations of Language Learning in the classroom. This paper also studies the individual differences that influence language acquisition. This covers language aptitude, language anxiety, language ego, and motivation. The work moreover, studies approaches to Language Acquisition like behaviourism, innatism and interactionist position. It conclusively explains more explicitly how the teaching techniques influence the progress students achieve in learning a new language.