Understanding Language Acquisition in Early Childhood

When Does Language Acquisition Start?

When children are 2 months old.

Learning How to Point: Importance for Communication Development

Gestures and eye contact are crucial for expressing desires and interests.

Can a Child Learn Their First Language from TV?

Yes, children can learn from TV, but not as effectively as through interaction.

What Kind of Words Do Children Learn First in Language Acquisition?

The first words are often “mom” or “dad.” Learning is gradual, with children acquiring 1 to 2 words per day.

A Child Uses “Dog” to Call Only Brown Small Dogs: Is This Underextension or Overextension?

This is an example of underextension.

A Child Says “Cookie!”: Two Different Situations with Different Meanings

1. When they want a cookie in class.
2. When they see a cookie at home.

A Child Says “I Eated a Carrot”: What Type of Error Is This?

This is an example of overregularization. Children often do not know the past tense forms of verbs and use creative language.

What Is the Difference Between Input and Interaction?

Input: Language they can hear.
Interaction: The way language is used in adult-child discourse.

Explain the Zone of Proximal Development with a Language Learning Example

This concept refers to the difference between a learner’s ability to perform a task independently versus with guidance. For example, a student can perform simple addition with a teacher’s help but struggles alone. With guidance, the student can use tools and strategies to strengthen their knowledge and eventually add independently.


Give Two Examples of Children Being Creative with Language

1. He goed to school.
2. He eat the cookie.

Do Small Children Learn Their First Language Quickly?

Yes, they accumulate around 50 words, and things start to progress faster, learning one or two words per day.

Are the Processes Involved in Learning a Second Language Different from a Foreign Language?

True. The former refers to language learning in contexts where the language is not typically spoken outside the classroom, while SLA refers to contexts where the language is used outside the classroom.

Do Children Learning a Foreign Language in Primary School Have Metalinguistic Awareness?

No, this type of awareness is not common in foreign language classes for young children.

Do Small Children Learning Their First Language Receive Corrective Feedback for Grammar Errors?

  • Provide opportunities to practice and use the language in different contexts.
  • Create a friendly atmosphere.
  • Provide feedback.
  • Help children notice the underlying patterns in language.

What Is Fossilization in Language Learning?

It is a linguistic phenomenon where learners unconsciously and permanently retain traits from their interlanguage that are not part of the target language, affecting grammar, pronunciation, lexicon, and other communicative aspects.

Do Students Learn Best When Input Is Slightly Lower Than Their Level?

No. According to Krashen, humans acquire language by receiving comprehensible input, which is slightly beyond the learner’s current level.

What Is the