1.

Language learning is the result of imitation, practise, feedback on

success, and habit formation. Children imitate the sounds and
patterns which they hear around them and receive positive
reinforcement (which could take the form of praise or just successful
communication) for doing so. Thus encouraged by their environment,
they continue to imitate and practise these sounds and patterns until
they form̒ habits̓ of correct language use.
2. Children do not learn language by simple imitation. Children’s
imitations are not random; they don’t imitate everything they hear.
Thus, unlike a parrot who imitates the familiar and continues to
repeat the same things again and again, children’s imitation is
selective and based on what they are currently learning. In other
words, even when other child imitates, the choice of what to imitate
seems to be based on something the child has already begun to
understand, not simply on what is̒ available̓ in the environment.
Summary
In this lesson we discussed the behaviourist view on first language
acquisition. We saw that proponents of the behaviourist position see
language learning as the result of imitation, practise, feedback on success,
and habit formation.
We also looked at the weaknesses of the behaviourist position in
explaining first language learning. The point is that children do not learn
language by simple imitation.

the learning and dvelopment of a person´s native

Acquisition: language
Learning: the process by which people develop poficiency in a
second or foreign language