Theories of Second Language Acquisition

Theories of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) explore how people learn a language that isn't their native one. Key theories include Behaviorism, which focuses on imitation and reinforcement; Cognitivism, emphasizing mental processes and understanding; and Social Interactionism, highlighting the importance of social context and communication. Other theories, like the Input Hypothesis, suggest that receiving language input slightly above one's current level is crucial for learning. Overall, these theories help us understand the various factors—like environment, motivation, and cognitive skills—that influence how effectively someone can learn a second language.