Factors Affecting ESL Students

Question 1

What factors influence second language acquisition

Answer 1

Cognitive, linguistic, practical, and affective factors influence second language acquisition.

Question 2

Affective factors

Answer 2

emotional factors that can affect a student’s ability to learn
-many studies show a positive relationship between high self-esteem and academic
achievement

-Inhibition discourages risk-taking, which is an essential element in language learning.
The lower a student’s inhibition, the quicker they may acquire a new language.

-learners with a high amount of intrinsic motivation want to learn and are likely to 
achieve more than those who do not.

-a low anxiety language environment in the home, school, and community increases 
the chance for acquisition

-acculturation can also be considered an affective factor. SLL with a desire to integrate
into the culture of speakers of the target language typically acquire the new language
with a higher degree of proficiency.

Question 3

cognitive / academic factors

Answer 3

the higher a student’s intelligence and stronger their academic background, the easier it will be for the student to acquire a new language

once a child has studied and acquired their native language, meaning they have a high level of literacy development, their skill at learning another language will increase.

Question 4

Linguistic factors

Answer 4

students who are learning a second language form the same language family as their first language have, in general, a simpler task than those who aren’t. For example, Spanish is a romance language and Spanish speakers would most likely have an easier time learning French, or Italian rather than English, which is a Germanic Language.

Question 5

Practical factors

Answer 5

Length of time in the U.S. is a factor because increased exposure to native speakers expedites student language development.

Age is a factor with multiple implications. Children are better at language acquisition than adults, but adults are better at learning language rules and systems. Children are less self-conscious and will speak more without fear of making a mistake, while adults are more concerned with grammar and following rules of the language.