Myths On Second Language Acquisition and Learning: A Closer Look

This paper examines and rebuts eight common myths about second language acquisition and learning. Myth 1 challenges the idea that children learn languages more easily than adults. Myth 2 disputes the notion that true bilinguals must speak two languages perfectly. Myth 3 argues that language cannot be acquired solely through listening or reading. Myth 4 contends that practice alone does not make perfect in language learning. Myth 5 posits that students learn best through real-world interactions, not just classroom instruction. Myth 6 states that constant error correction can be counterproductive. Myth 7 disputes the idea that individual differences are the most important factor in acquisition. Finally, Myth 8 argues that grammar mastery alone is insufficient for full language acquisition. Throughout the paper, relevant language acquisition theories and classroom scenarios are utilized to systematically disprove each myth. The goal is to clarify misconceptions and provide a more nuanced understanding of second language acquisition and learning.