1. LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
Applied linguistics

2. Process of language acquisition
The process of language acquisition by a child has some basic requirements:
Interaction with other language users during the first 2-3 years of development
The child must be physically capable of sending and receiving signal in a language
Input
Home environment provide language sample or input
Simplified speech style – caregiver speech (motherese or child-directed spech)
Salient features: frequent use of questions, exaggerated intonation,extra loudness and slower tempo, the use of “babytalk” (simplified words:choo-choo, poo-poo etc.)
Caregiver speech is also characterized by simple sentence structure and a lot of repetition.

3. Stages of acquisition process
Language acquisition schedule has the same basis as biologically determined development of motor skills. The biological schedule is tied very much to the maturation of the infant’s brain.
Cooing and babbling – the earliest use of speech-like sounds
The one-word stage
The two-word stage
Telegraphic speech
Children are actively constructing from what is said to them, possible ways of using the language.

4. Linguistic features of emerging speech
Developing morphology: incorporating some inflectional morphemes. Overgeneralization of apparent rules (plural –s, past -ed etc.)
Developing syntax:
Forming questions (where, who – what book – can I have?)
Forming negatives
Developing Semantics: sometimes it is difficult to determine meaning children attach to words;
overextension (ball –all round objects)

5. Second language learning
Acquisition and Learning
Acquisition – gradual development of ability in a language
Learning – more conscious process of accumulating of knowledge
Acquisition barriers : age, native languages
Affective factors - negative feelings or experiences can create barrier to acquisition: unwillingness or embarrassment in pronunciation, dull textbook, unpleasant classroom surrounding, exhausting schedule or work

6. Educational approaches and methods
The Grammar – Translation Method
This method is rooted in traditional teaching of Latin.
Targets of learning: vocabulary, grammar rules, written language and memorization are emphazed
Audiolingual Method
Sytemic presentation of the L2 structures – to develop skills of spoken language
Communicative Approaches
Language functions are emphasized, language learning is organized around different social settings
Student Centered Learning
shift from method and textbook to learner needs and acquisition process

7. L1 AND L2 INTERRELATION IN LEARNING PROCESS
Transfer
Crosslinguistic influence
Positive and negative transfer
Interlanguage
errors related neither to L1 nor L2
In-between system of language

8. COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE
Communicative competence – general ability to use language accurately, appropriately and flexibly
Grammatical competence
Socio-linguistic competence
Strategic competence
Communication strategy