Abstract
M.A. (Applied Linguistics)
Language is dynamic. It must keep pace with new experiences and developments
in the growth of a nation. otherwise it cannot be used as a means of communication.
According to Chomsky (Lyons: 1980. Derwing: 1973. Klein: 1986) and other
linguists who believe in the innatist hypothesis. every normal human being has
an inborn ability to acquire his mother tongue in a relatively short space of
time. However. research seems to indicate that unless the child is in a
normal environment at the critical stage for language acquisition. he will not
acquire his mother tongue. The innate ability thus requires stimulation from
the environment: plenty of exposure to the language in informal social situations
in a supportive atmosphere.
Research into mother-tongue acquisition has distinct implications for second language
acquisition in early childhood. The second-language teacher can take
advantage of the language-acquisition ability of the child and re-create in
the classroom the conditions described above under which the child acquires
his mother tongue