What are the major similarities and differences between FLA & SLA?

What are the major similarities and differences between FLA & SLA?

          

            First language acquisition (FLA) focuses on the infants’ language learning process, while second language acquisition (SLA) investigates both infant (young) and adult learners’ language learning process. Mainly, when comparing FLA and SLA, children’s first language acquisition processes are measured against the adults’ second language acquisition processes.

            According to Behaviorism, children learn language by getting feedback. If they get positive feedback when they utter something, they repeat this utterance. If there is a mistake in their utterance, mothers or caregivers correct them; so they continue to produce utterances. By this way, they learn L1. SLA has nearly the same process, on the other hand. Learner produce utterances in L2, and if they are right, teacher gives positive feedback; yet, if they are wrong, teacher corrects the mistakes constantly.

            Moreover, children learn language by using it in their environment. They have to communicate with this language. Likewise, adult learners also learn second language by communicating with this language. Even in classroom environment, L2 learners have to interact with second language. So, it improves the learning process. These are the major similarities of FLA and SLA.

            As for differences between FLA and SLA, first one is that while first language is an obligation in a sense, second language is not. One has to communicate with others via language –if there is no physical obstacle-, while second language is just an alternative. On the other hand, children are exposed to the L1 in every environment they exist. However, in most of the case, L2 learners are exposed to the second language only in classroom. It certainly affects the process of language learning. Another difference is that personal attitude to a language affects learning process. This reason cannot be possible in FLA, because, as I said, L1 is kind of an obligation. So, children do no develop an attitude towards their first language. In contrast, adult learners can have an attitude towards their second language, and this attitude affects their learning process inevitably.

            There are, of course, many differences and similarities between FLA and SLA. I just tried to explain the major ones slightly. Language learning in both FLA and SLA has similar processes, but some external and internal factors may create differences between them.