L1 acquisition and L2 learning

A great deal of what is called 'Communicative Language Teaching' is based on what is essentially a 'nativist' view of second language (L2) acquisition. A 'nativist' view assumes – consciously or unconsciously – that somehow L2 learning can and should be like learning our native language (L1). This is wishful thinking and is based on a profound misconception about the nature of L2 learning - just as it is a misconception about how L1 acquisition occurs. The best way to explore the differences between the two processes is to view them side-by-side – in parallel, as below. L1 ACQUISITION 1. L1 acquisition is genetically triggered at the most critical stage of the child's cognitive development. 2. The 'engine' of language – its syntactic system – is 'informationally encapsulated' – which means that children are not even aware of developing a complex, rule-governed, hierarchical system. Most L1 speakers do not even realise this is what they are using. 3. The L1 is typically acquired at the crucial period of cognitive development; pre-puberty, when L1 and other crucial life- skills are also acquired or learned. 4. Children never resist L1 acquisition, any more than they resist learning to walk. 5. Given even minimal 'input' during critical pre-pubescent development, all humans acquire the L1 of the society or social group they are born into as a natural and essential part of their lives. Even brain- damaged and/or retarded children usually acquire the full grammatical code of the language of their society or social group. 6. In short, L1 acquisition is an essential, biologically–driven process. It is part of every individual's evolutionary history and development in the most critical stage of that individual's acquisition of essential life-skills. L2 LEARNING 1. L2 learning is not genetically triggered in any way unless the child grows up bi-lingually (in which case, it is not really L2 learning at all). 2. The syntax of the L2 is not acquired unconsciously , or at least not in the way L1 syntax is acquired. Few L2 learners develop the same degree of unconscious, rule-governed insight into and use of the L2 which they demonstrate with the L1. 3. The L2 is not learned as part of the learner's general cognitive development. It is not an essential life-skill in the same way that the L1 is. 4. There is often great conscious or unconscious resistance to L2 learning. 5. Many highly intelligent individuals with impressive learning skills often have great problems learning an L2. Many L2 learners 'fossilise' at some stage, so that even if they use the L2 regularly, and are constantly exposed to input in it, they fail to develop full grammatical or 'generative' competence. 6. L2 learning is not a biologically- driven process. It is not an essential aspect of an individual's general development. especially when the L2 is simply another subject on an already overloaded school curriculum or something that has to be undertaken by people with busy lives and heavy work-loads.