Learner Factors That Affect Second Language Learning.docVIP

Learner Factors That Affect Second Language Learning Abstract：As we all known, the study of learner factors plays an important role in Second Language Acquisition(SLA) research. In this paper, discussion will be restricted to some general learner factors which have received the most attention in SLA research: age, cognitive style, personality, motivation, attitude, ethnic group affiliation and so on. The research will not only develop the SLA theory in some degree, but also enhance learners’ judgments to their own individual learner factors. It can also shed light on the practical foreign language learning. Key words: SLA, learner factors, second language learning Introduction There are some personal characteristics that make one learner more successful than other learners. In our experience, as an English learner, which characteristics seem to us most likely to be associated with success in second language acquisition varies from person to person. Someone thinks a good learner is a willing and accurate guesser who can try to get a message across even if specific language knowledge is lacking; and some people think a good leaner begins learning in childhood and has an above-average IQ; the others may think a good learner has a good self-image and lots of confidence. The development of SLA 2.1Definition Second language acquisition or second language learning is the process by which people learn a second language. That is, it is the process of learning an additional language by someone who has already learned a native language or multiple native languages. However, Second language acquisition does not refer to what teachers do; it refers to what the learner does. It can also refer to the scientific study of the second-language learning process. 2.2The development of SLA SLA is a broad-based and relatively new academic filed. It is usually seen as a sub-discipline of applied linguistics, and it is closely related to several other disciplines which including sociolingu