If I can use two or more languages, the reason might be I was exposed to not

just one but two or more languages since birth. Infants as young as 12 months are
testified to have sensitivity to the grammar needed to understand relevant sentences
(Rowland & Noble, 2010). One of the primary scientific explanations to this was
provided by Skinner (1957). As one of the pioneers of behaviorism, he accounted for
language development by means of environmental influence. Thus, if I am continually
exposed to such foreign language, I can be proficient enough to deliver and utilize it
in any form of communication. There is a relevant reason also that motivates the
continual learning and adaptation of the foreign language. It might be there are people
that I have to communicate always using only that language or I just wanted to learn
that language for personal reasons. Due to that, I have to maintain the motivation by
engaging myself more in any activities that could help me. This is explained by
constructivism, in which learners were provided the opportunity to construct their own
sense of what was being learned by building internal connection or relationship among
ideas and facts being taught (Brich & Tombari, 1997). It means that I have to be active
while learning. On the other hand, if I can only use one language that is because I was
not exposed to other languages and I did not motivate myself to learn those. Noam
Chomsky asserts that language is innate. Innate is something which is already there
in mind since birth. The theory proposed by Chomsky is proved by the children living
in same linguistic community and that children share the same internal constraints
which characterize narrowly the grammar they are going to construct (Chomsky,
1977). Language develops as a result when interaction occurs between children and
other speakers. Every learner has to converse and communicate with others in order
to adapt what they have learnt which shows their competence and understanding.
Therefore, a learner will develop his/her language ability when they take part in
spontaneous interactions rather than straight drills (Nunen 1991). The theory of
innateness also supported this claim. Regardless of the conditions and stimuli around,
the origins of the child will really come out and prevail.

Previously, I have tried studying other language (Japanese) but unfortunately,

I did not pursue it. I did not learn the language since I have no motivation to continue
and I was just carried away only by a movie. Also, I could not find other resources that
could help me. I have no support from my family (if I have to enroll to Nihongo school)
and thus I have to bear it myself which is hard already. Behaviorists also justified that
learning a new language is learning a new set of habit. According to Ellis (1990),
learning could be effected by manipulating the environment to provide the required
experience. In addition, there is now considerable evidence that social interaction
plays a critical role in language acquisition. Learning new language is excellent when
language is experienced during social interaction with a live person (Kuhl, 2007; 2011)
and the language acquisition process is social and interactive (Eun & Lim, 2009; Kuhl,
2004; Lytle & Kuhl, 2017; Ramirez-Esparza; Garcia-Sierra & Kuhl, 2017). Hence, in
order for me to effectively learn also other language, I have to surround myself with
people who are speaking it or join with institution that could stimulate my desire for
learning it.

A research underlies that learning a second (or foreign) language involves two
types of tasks, one a cognitive one, and the other an emotional one. Those with high
levels of the requisite abilities will learn the material more readily (other things being
equal) than those with lower levels of these abilities. That is, there is a cognitive or
ability component involved in learning another language (Carroll, 1963; Lambert,
1963). In my experience, the reason I stop studying Japanese is merely because of
lacking emotional support. It found no drive to continue and thus made me feel
unmotivated. Another factor also is I have to invest so much time in memorizing the
difficult terms. Unfortunately, I am not that good in memorization so I stopped it.
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13, 2013. Retrieved from
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Language Acquisition, Theories, Principles,
and Methods

Case no. 1

Submitted by:

Jerusalin S. Quitorio

Submitted to:

Prof. Lilibeth A. Cenojas