Heritage language learningHeritage language learning, or heritage language acquisition, is the act of learning a heritage language from an ethnolinguistic group that traditionally speaks the language, or from those whose family historically spoke the language. According to a commonly accepted definition by Valdés, heritage languages are generally minority languages in society and are typically learned at home during childhood.
Language educationLanguage education refers to the processes and practices of teaching a second or foreign language. Its study reflects interdisciplinary approaches, usually including some applied linguistics. There are four main learning categories for language education: communicative competencies, proficiencies, cross-cultural experiences, and multiple literacies. NeedIncreasing globalization has created a great need for people in the workforce who can communicate in multiple languages.First languageA first language (L1), native language, native tongue, or mother tongue is the first language a person has been exposed to from birth or within the critical period. In some countries, the term native language or mother tongue refers to the language of one's ethnic group rather than the individual's actual first language. Generally, to state a language as a mother tongue, one must have full native fluency in that language.Critical period hypothesisThe critical period hypothesis is a hypothesis within the field of linguistics and second language acquisition that claims a person can achieve native-like fluency in a language only before a certain age. It is the subject of a long-standing debate in linguistics and language acquisition over the extent to which the ability to acquire language is biologically linked to developmental stages of the brain.
Noam ChomskyAmerican linguist and activist (born 1928)Avram Noam Chomsky (born December 7, 1928) is an American intellectual, philosopher, linguist, political activist, and social critic. Sometimes called "the father of modern linguistics", Chomsky is also a major figure in analytic philosophy and one of the founders of the field of cognitive science.Universal grammarUniversal grammar (UG), in modern linguistics, is the theory of the innate biological component of the language faculty, usually credited to Noam Chomsky. The basic postulate of UG is that there are innate constraints on what the grammar of a possible human language could be. When linguistic stimuli are received in the course of language acquisition, children then adopt specific syntactic rules that conform to UG.
MultilingualismMultilingualism is the use of more than one language, either by an individual speaker or by a group of speakers. When the languages are only two, it is usually called bilingualism. It is believed that multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. More than half of all Europeans claim to speak at least one language other than their mother tongue, but many read and write in one language.Second languageA second language (L2) is a language spoken in addition to one's first language (L1). A second language may be a neighbouring language, another language of the speaker's home country, or a foreign language. A speaker's dominant language, which is the language a speaker uses most or is most comfortable with, is not necessarily the speaker's first language.Second-language attritionSecond-language attrition refers to atrophy of second-language skills. It is commonly found in individuals who live in environments in which the presence of the attrited language is limited. OverviewIt is common for people who have learned a foreign language to gradually forget much of the acquired language skills once the period of formal instruction is over. Thus, second language attrition refers to non-pathological declines in second language skills.Third-language acquisitionThird-language acquisition (TLA), also known as third-language learning or L3 (language 3) acquisition, refers to multilinguals learning additional languages. TLA is distinct from second-language acquisition, which is concerned with the acquisition of an additional language by (then) monolinguals. The success of third language acquisition varies with age and the languages already known, which can have intricate effects on the L3 (the language that is being acquired).
MotivationMotivation is an internal state that propels individuals to engage in goal-directed behavior. It is often understood as a force that explains why people or other animals initiate, continue, or terminate a certain behavior at a particular time. It is a complex phenomenon and its precise definition is disputed. It contrasts with amotivation, which is a state of apathy or listlessness.
PersonalityPersonality describes the behavioral, cognitive, and emotional patterns that make up a person's unique time-dependent adjustment to life. Personality is relatively stable, but can change over time due to experiences and developmental processes. Although there is no consensus on the definition of personality, most theories in personality focus on traits, motivation, skills, and identity.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.