How long will it take my child to learn the second language?
While the process can vary between students, it typically takes 1-3 years to acquire social language (the language of the playground) and at least five years or more to acquire academic language (the language of school). Students encountering a second language for the first time may experience a "silent period" that lasts anywhere from one day to six months or more. This does not mean that the brain is silent. It simply means that the student may be hesitant to orally interact in the new language. During this time, they are acquiring receptive understanding, and should not be forced to speak. Even as they develop proficiency, children may be reluctant to "perform" in their second language for adults at home.
The following are some common stages that students experience as they learn a second language:
STAGE OF LANGUAGE ACQUISITION | GENERAL BEHAVIORS OF STUDENTS |
Silent/Receptive Stage (ACTFL Novice)
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Early Production Stage (ACTFL Novice)
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Speech Emergence Stage (ACTFL Intermediate)
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Intermediate Fluency Stage (ACTFL Intermediate)
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Advanced Fluency Stage (ACTFL Advanced - Superior)
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The five stages of language acquisition described above are a general framework for understanding how students progress as they learn a language. However, it must be noted that language learning is an ongoing, fluid process that differs for every student. Children may move between stages of language acquisition, depending on the linguistic and cognitive demands of the academic language.
(Adapted from http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/108052/chapters/The-Stages-of-Second-Language-Acquisition.aspx)