MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-25
Часть–3_ Май –2025
33
STAGES OF SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION IN CHILDREN
Mustayeva Guldora Salakhiddinovna associate professor of Tashkent State
of transport university
G’afurova Nazokat Bakhriddin kizi student of Tashkent State of transport
university
Abstract: In today’s increasingly globalized world, learning a second language
has become more than just an academic skill—it is a gateway to broader
communication and cultural understanding. Children, in particular, have a natural
ability to acquire languages more quickly and intuitively than adults. However, second
language acquisition in children follows several unique stages, each with its own
characteristics and challenges. This article explores the stages of second language
acquisition in children, highlighting the key features of each phase, the obstacles
learners may encounter, and effective teaching strategies to support their language
development.
Key words: Second language acquisition, first language, second language,
language learning, language development.
Аннотация: В современном мире, который становится все более
глобализированным, изучение второго языка стало чем—то большим, чем
просто академический навык - это путь к более широкому общению и
культурному взаимопониманию. Дети, в частности, обладают естественной
способностью усваивать языки быстрее и интуитивно, чем взрослые. Однако
овладение вторым языком у детей проходит несколько уникальных этапов,
каждый из которых имеет свои особенности и трудности. В этой статье
рассматриваются этапы овладения вторым языком у детей, выделяются
ключевые особенности каждого этапа, препятствия, с которыми могут
столкнуться учащиеся, и эффективные стратегии обучения для поддержки их
языкового развития.
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-25
Часть–3_ Май –2025
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Ключевые слова: Овладение вторым языком, первый язык, неродной
язык, изучение языка, развитие языка.
Annotatsiya: Bugungi globallashuv davrida chet tillarini o‘zlashtirish,
ayniqsa, bolalikda boshlanishi ta’limda muhim masalaga aylangan. Bolalar tilni
kattalarga nisbatan tezroq va tabiiyroq tarzda o‘zlashtiradilar. Shu bilan birga,
ikkinchi tilni egallashda turli bosqichlar mavjud bo‘lib, ularning har biri muayyan
xususiyatlarga ega. Ushbu maqolada bolalarda ikkinchi tilni o‘zlashtirish bosqichlari,
ularning mohiyati hamda samarali o‘qitish yo‘llari haqida so‘z yuritiladi.
Kalit so’zlar: Ikkinchi tilni o‘zlashtirish, ona tili, ikkinchi til, til o‘rganish, til
rivojlanishi.
Stages of Second Language Acquisition in Children
In today’s era of globalization, the need to learn a second language has become
increasingly important. Language acquired during childhood tends to be more deeply
rooted in the brain, and language competence becomes stronger. In linguistics, this
process is referred to as
Second Language Acquisition (SLA)
. Children tend to learn
languages more naturally and with fewer obstacles than adults. However, this process
involves several stages, each with its own features and challenges. This article explores
the stages of second language acquisition in children, highlights the key characteristics
of each stage, and suggests effective teaching strategies.
First and Second Language Acquisition: Key Differences
Linguists distinguish between the
first language (L1)
and the
second language
(L2)
. A first language is the child’s native tongue, acquired naturally through daily
communication. A second language, on the other hand, is learned later—often for
educational, social, or cultural purposes. The age factor plays a significant role in L2
acquisition; the younger the learner, the easier it is to acquire the language.
The Stages of Second Language Acquisition
Researchers typically divide children’s second language learning process into
five main stages
:
1.
Pre-production (Silent Period)
At this stage, the child listens and tries to
understand the language but does not yet speak. They rely heavily on gestures, facial
MODERN EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Выпуск журнала №-25
Часть–3_ Май –2025
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expressions, and context to comprehend meaning. This is often called the "silent
period."
2.
Early Production
The child starts producing simple words and phrases.
Vocabulary is still limited (about 1,000 words), and grammar errors are common, but
the child begins to respond verbally.
3.
Speech Emergence
Verbal skills improve. The child can form simple
sentences and answer basic questions. Communication becomes more active.
4.
Intermediate Fluency
The child constructs more complex sentences,
expresses thoughts clearly, and makes fewer grammar mistakes. Vocabulary increases
significantly.
5.
Advanced Fluency
At this stage, the child speaks fluently and naturally,
often at a level close to native speakers. Language skills are strong enough for academic
and social use.
Challenges at Each Stage and How to Overcome Them
Each stage brings its own challenges:
Limited vocabulary
Incorrect pronunciation
Grammar mistakes
Fear of speaking (social anxiety)
To overcome these issues, children need constant encouragement, interactive
teaching methods, games, visuals, and engaging language activities. Creating a stress-
free learning environment is key.
The Role of Environment and Teaching Methodologies
The success of second language acquisition is highly influenced by the
learning environment
. Effective acquisition is supported by:
Parental involvement
Supportive and friendly classroom setting
Proper teaching approaches
Use of multimedia and educational technology
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Выпуск журнала №-25
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Play-based learning and consistent exposure to the target language greatly
enhance the learning process.
Children learn languages most effectively when they are engaged and
interested. Understanding the stages of second language acquisition allows educators
and parents to provide the right support at the right time. When each phase is carefully
addressed with appropriate methods, children can develop strong language proficiency.
Teachers are encouraged to apply individualized, student-centered strategies to ensure
optimal results.
REFERENCES
1.
Krashen, S. D. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language
Acquisition. Pergamon Press.Annotation:
This classic work outlines theories of
second language acquisition, including the concept of the "silent period," and explains
how emotional factors influence language learning in children.
2.
Lightbown, P. M., & Spada, N. (2013). How Languages are Learned
(4th ed.). Oxford University Press.Annotation:
This book provides clear explanations
of how both children and adults acquire languages, focusing on the stages of learning
and effective classroom practices.
3.
Ellis, R. (1997). Second Language Acquisition. Oxford University
Press.Annotation:
Ellis discusses the theoretical foundations of second language
acquisition, the stages learners go through, and common challenges such as
grammatical errors.
4.
Brown, H. D. (2000). Principles of Language Learning and Teaching
(4th ed.). Longman.Annotation:
Brown explores the fundamental principles behind
language learning and teaching, with special attention to the role of age and
psychological factors in children's language acquisition.
5.
Cummins, J. (1981). Bilingualism and Minority-Language Children.
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education.Annotation:
Cummins investigates how
bilingualism affects children's cognitive development and language proficiency,
distinguishing between first and second language acquisition.
