Learning vs. Acquisition

This is a topic that I have posted about previously, stating that in my classroom I strive to have my students write through process writing or an acquisition of skills in writing. I feel as though students who are given an explicit task such as exercises or drills are just trying to learn a new skill. For example; look up words in the dictionary to write definitions, read in round-robin fashion or listing vocabulary words. Students at the high school or college level are often given these types of tasks. 

In my classroom I try to use acquisition tasks such as; making a Venn diagram to compare two stories, identify words on a big book page that start with the same sound, or write rhyming poetry and then discuss different spellings for the same sound. By doing activities such as these my students are learning and practicing skills but they are embedded in fun, engaging and entertaining activities. They often are learning and acquiring new skills without even realizing. 

These are both of the ways that a child or an adult can develop a second language skills as well. They could emerge themselves in acquisition activities such as traveling abroad, visiting a restaurant or playing a game. The other option is the learning approach where you complete drills or task based activities to learn the skills you need to speak the language. I know what I would choose if I needed to learn a second language, but I suppose everyone learns in different ways! 


Freeman, D., and Y. Freeman. Essential linguistics: What you need to know to teach: reading, ESL, spelling, phonics, grammar. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.