Conditions to learn an additional language.

What conditions are necessary to successfully learn an additional language?

Constanza Olguin Vargas

University of British Columbia

Conditions to learn an additional language. 2

What conditions are necessary to successfully learn an additional language?

Due to Globalization, many people want to be successful at learning an additional

language. People want to learn how to communicate in a global language such as English.

There are three main conditions that facilitate language learners in learning an additional

language. These are, having a safe space where they do not feel pressured in not making

any mistakes and where you are criticized but not penalized, being able to practice with

more proficient speakers and learning in a space where you are able to learn through

rephrasing what you do not understand.

The first main characteristic is having a safe space; this means learning in a class

where you do not feel the pressure of not being able to make any mistake and being

penalized for them. It 's nice to have a space where you are evaluated by your knowledge,

and they give you constructive criticism so you can improve, but the pressure of being

penalized for your mistakes can be overwhelming. One way to accomplish this technique of

learning from your mistakes is by finding a proficient English language speaker with whom

you feel safe practicing.

According to Denhovska, Serratrice and Payne (2016) being able to practice with

more proficient speakers is the second ideal condition to acquire a second language

successfully. They maintain that studies of language development have demonstrated that

frequency is a crucial factor in boosting language learning. This means that the more we are

able to practice our knowledge the more, we are going to learn about a certain language.

When we are exposed to the language by practicing with more proficient speakers, we will

be able to boost our vocabulary and learn idioms. When learning with proficient speakers

some words and expressions can be a challenge, so understanding what they are saying is
Conditions to learn an additional language. 3

crucial. Because of this rephrasing it is important to understand what they are trying to

communicate.

Rephrasing it is very important for you to be able to understand what proficient

speakers are trying to say. This technique is the third condition necessary to learn an

additional language successfully. Rephrasing is very important for new learners who have a

vast knowledge of high-frequency words, but they are not familiar with mid and low-

frequency vocabulary. Proficient speakers will use this less used words, but it is important

to rephrase what they are trying to say if new language learners do not understand. For

example, if someone says that they are reading a novel and they do not understand because

the language that it is written on is archaic. They could rephrase it if a new language learner

does not understand by saying that the language that is written on is old. By doing this not

only will new learners now understand what they are trying to say, but they will also now

be familiar with new words.

To sum up, the ideal conditions of studying English are giving constructing

criticism, interacting with native speakers and rephrasing. English is a global language that

is being learnt more and more, so it is important to learn it successfully. As the world we

live in becomes more globalized, it is important to be successful at acquiring a second

language. Being able to speak another language is vital for having success as a professional.
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References

Denhovska, N., Serratrice, L. and Payne, J. (2016), Acquisition of Second Language

Grammar Under Incidental Learning Conditions: The Role of Frequency and Working

Memory. Language Learning, 66: 159–190. doi:10.1111/lang.12142

Douglas, S. R. (2014). Academic inquiry: writing for post-secondary success. Don Mills,

Ontario: Oxford University Press.