Grace College of Education

Padanthalumoodu
Language across the curriculum

Submitted by
Reeja.R
Department of Mathematics
Roll No:79
Characteristics of
First Language
Acquisition
 Introduction
+ First language acquisition refers to the
way children learn their native language.
... For children learning their native
language, linguistic competence
develops in stages, from babbling to one
word to two word, then telegraphic
speech.
Definition of language acquisition
+ Language acquisition is a process
which can take place at any period of
one's life. In the sense of first language
acquisition, however, it refers to the
acquisition of one's native language
during the first 6 or 7 years of one's life.
 First language acquisition
+ This is the acquisition of the mother
tongue. Chronology is important here.
The degree of competence acquired may
vary from individual to individual and
may be checked by later switching to
another language. Note that language
acquisition is largely independent of
intelligence, although individuals can and
do differ in their mastery of open classes
such as vocabulary.
Characteristics of first language
acquisition
1. It is instinctive
2. It is very rapid
3. It is very complete
4. Not requires instruction
1. It is instinctive

+ The child has natural flair to learn its mother

tongue. But it also needs the help of the
appropriate linguistic environment. It is
similar to our seeing with both eyes
(acquiring binocular vision) and hearing with
both both ears (binaural hearing)
2. It is very rapid

+ It requires only a short period of time to

learn one’s mother tongue. Compared to the
time and efforts required for learning the
second language, it takes only lesser time
and efforts to learn the mother tongue.
3. It is very complete

+ Learning the first language is complete. It

will be more complete than learning the
second language i.e, the quality of first
language acquisition is far better than that
of a second language. One never forgets his
mother tongue.
4. Not requires instruction

+ Special instruction or tuition is not required

to learn speaking in the mother tongue.
Some linguists say that there is no necessity
for even a child’s mother or baby sitter to
teach the child to speak in its mother
tongue; the child by itself will learn and
progress.
Conclusion
+ In conclusion, the innate ability to
construct a mental grammar diminishes
after puberty, thus, children's ability to
learn languages diminishes after that
period.