Ego is a Hurdle in Second Language Learning: A Contrastive Study between Adults and Children

Shumaila Abdullah ,Javed Akhter

doi:10.7575/aiac.alls.v.6n.6p.170

Abstract

The aim of this research paper is to find out by comparing and contrasting between the adults and children in second language learning process how language ego of adult learners affects them to learn second language, and how it becomes a barrier for them in second language learning process. Nowadays learning English as foreign and second language is one of the most dominant socio-cultural requirements of people for seeking employment, foreign tour, business, education and other basic communicative purposes. Therefore, English as foreign and second language is definitely necessary for everybody because it is one of the most urgent socio-cultural pre-requisites of the Post-modern era. It is commonly observed during teaching and learning English as a foreign language in Pakistan, that language ego hinders the adults to learn it properly. Therefore, children are more successful L2 learners than the adults are. Children learning L2 use to reproduce construction process just as they do in their L1 learning and they have the ability to cognize and reproduce new and novel utterances. The compare and contrast between adult and child second language learner will be highlighted in this research paper, which may be helpful for teachers, researchers and scholars on the subject. Keywords : Second Language Learning Process, Adult Learner, Child Learner, Language Ego, Critical Period and Puberty Period

Highlights

The Importance of a language as the only source of communication cannot be denied in any human society of the world
English language has been a constitutional language of Pakistan since 1971
One cannot deny this fact that English is one of the international languages of the world, second language in many countries and foreign language in Pakistan and other countries of the world

Summary

Introduction

The Importance of a language as the only source of communication cannot be denied in any human society of the world. The most dominate factors in this regard, is ego, which generates powerful feelings in the mind of adult that hamper or makes the learning process slower and slower. For this reason, adults are not as successful L2 learners as children are because more they think little they speak. The involvement of language ego has come to influence badly and negatively in second language learning process It makes the development of language learning skill impossible in adults. Mostly the adult second language learners are afraid or stressed when using the language in oral way while on the other hand a child learner never feel stressed and for the very same reason he learns in no time because of lacking language ego

Literature Review

Discussion and Debate

Conclusion