What is essential to second language development? 

Language development takes time, patience, practice, and intentional planning.

 

There different stages in development:

Stage 1 -Observing, Listening and Gesturing OR Pre-Production Phase 

• minimal comprehension

• no verbal production

Stage 2 - Simple Comprehension and Production OR Early Production Phase:

• limited comprehension

• one to two word responses

• errors are common

Stage 3 - Expanding Language Proficiency OR Emergent Phase: 

• increased comprehension

• simple sentences

• unable to correct errors

• ‘plateau’

Stage 4 - Functional Academic Language Proficiency OR Intermediate Fluency Phase: 

• comprehension is good

• ability to put together more complex sentences

• complex errors in speech

• able to correct errors 

Stage 5 - Native Like Proficiency OR Stabilization Phase: 

• little problems with fluency, meanings and context 

• able to self-correct

• fluency acquired at this stage

 

Principles of Second Language Development: 

• First Language skills transfer to Second Language skills.

• Proficiency in First Language facilitates second language. 

• High quality, direct language instruction is required. 

• Explicit Vocabulary development is essential.