Why Second Language Acquisition Is a Smart Idea

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Learning a second language is a rewarding way to challenge yourself and open up new opportunities. Second language acquisition is a common method for speakers of one language to become bilingual—and it may not take as much time as you think.

So what is second language acquisition, and is it the same as learning a new language? Our guide breaks down the steps to acquiring a second language, as well as the most commonly studied languages and why learning a second language is such a good idea.

What is second language acquisition?

Language acquisition is the process of learning a new language in an implicit or immersive way, such as hearing it every day. Everyone acquires their first language this way; as children, we listen to our parents and community members speak in a language, and we naturally acquire it.

Second language acquisition occurs when you learn a new language in the same way as you acquired your first language. For example, if you learned English as your first language and then moved to Mexico, you would acquire Spanish as a second language because you’ll be immersed in it.

Language acquisition vs. language learning

Language learning usually refers to learning a language where it’s not natively spoken or without full immersion. It involves explicit language instruction, such as a language class or live lessons that teach grammar and vocabulary skills. One example would be an English speaker living in Australia who’s learning to speak Hebrew by using textbooks, learning with tutors, and speaking to classmates.

Another difference between second language acquisition and second language learning is a student’s age. Children implicitly acquire languages at a faster rate than adults, but adults are more successful when learning a language explicitly.

What are the most common second languages to learn?

Whether you pick them up through second language acquisition or explicit learning, some languages are more common to learn around the world than others. English is the most commonly learned language with 1.1 billion learners, while Mandarin Chinese is the most common native language with 1.13 billion native speakers (and another 199 million second language learners).

*data calculated from britannica.com

Stages of second language acquisition

So how long does it take to learn a new language? It depends on a number of factors, including the language’s difficulty ranking, the amount of daily language immersion, and how many hours of study you can devote to learning. 

Linguists and language experts use a five-stage model for second language acquisition to describe what a learner can understand and produce at different periods of time. It includes the early stages of learning (Preproduction, Early Production), the intermediate stages (Speech Emergence, Intermediate Language Proficiency) and the advanced stage of acquiring a second language (Advanced Language Proficiency).

Preproduction

Also known as the Silent or Receptive stage of second language acquisition, the Preproduction stage mostly involves listening and observing conversations. Learners can answer “yes” and “no” questions and understand a few new words at a time. 

Generally, learners in this stage have around 500 receptive words (words that you understand but can’t produce). Depending on how much language exposure a person has, the preproduction stage can last anywhere from ten hours to three months.

Early Production

In the Early Production stage, learners can form one or two word phrases in their new language. They can comprehend short sentences and use a limited vocabulary (between 500 and 1000 words) to respond to questions that ask “who” or “when,” rather than only “yes” or “no” questions. 

Learners in the Early Production stage speak with some hesitation and often practice what they’re about to say before speaking.

Speech Emergence

When learners enter the Speech Emergence stage, they can form short phrases and simple sentences in the context of a conversation. Language learners can understand and use around 3,000 words to ask and answer simple questions.

Though their speech and writing may contain common grammar errors, these learners speak with less hesitation and can keep up with a basic conversation.

Intermediate Language Proficiency

Learners in the Intermediate Language Proficiency stage are on their way to fluency. They can use and understand around 6,000 words in longer and complex statements. These students can request clarification when they don’t understand, or can provide alternate wording to their own speech when needed.

Students in this stage typically speak with no hesitation and sound quite proficient. They have likely worked on (and possibly mastered) a regional dialect and/or accent for their new language.

Advanced Language Proficiency

Advanced Language Proficiency is the final stage of second language acquisition. Students in the fifth stage have acquired advanced vocabulary and participate fluently in activities and conversations. 

At this stage, learners use their second language almost as easily as their native language and do not require translation services to engage in conversation. They are qualified to tutor or even teach others to speak their second language.

Tips for acquiring a second language

If you’re interested in second language acquisition, there are a few ways to pick up a new language effectively—even if you don’t live in a country where the language is commonly spoken.

• Use one of the best language learning apps—Rosetta Stone—to learn your new language in an immersive experience with the Dynamic Immersion method.
• Watch movies or television in your new language (children’s shows are really easy to start with!).
• Listen to music in your new language.
• Build up to having longer conversations with native speakers of your new language.
• Take a long trip or temporarily relocate to an area where most people speak your new language.
• Incorporate daily practice into your routine with stories and phrasebooks in the Rosetta Stone App.

Benefits of second language acquisition

Anyone who’s started their learning journey knows that there are many benefits of learning a language. It helps to build a stronger memory, improve your worldview, and open up new social and business opportunities. Plus, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that bilinguals are smarter.

When it comes to second language acquisition, there are even more reasons to start. Acquiring a second language leaves you more open-minded and creates a learner’s mindset that carries through a number of other life experiences. No matter how you decide to adopt your new language, you’ll find that your journey is more than worthwhile.