Second Language Acquisition: Facts or Myths?

Adults learn second languages more easily than young children.

• True

• False

According to research, students in ESL-only programs, with no schooling in their native language, take 7-10 years to reach grade level norms.

• True

• False

A lot of immigrant children have learning disabilities, not language problems. They speak English just fine but they are still failing academically.

• True

• False

Older generations of immigrants learned without all the special language programs that immigrant children receive now. It was "sink or swim" and they did just fine!

• True

• False

Second language learners will acquire academic English faster if their parents speak English at home.

• True

• False

The more time students spend soaking up English in the mainstream classroom, the more quickly they will learn the language.

• True

• False

Once students can speak English, they are ready to undertake the academic tasks of the mainstream classroom.

• True

• False

Cognitive and academic development in native language has an important and positive effect on second language acquisition.

• True

• False

The culture of students doesn’t affect how long it takes them to acquire English. All students learn language the same way.

• True

• False