second language
Learned foreign speech
A second language is one learned after a person's native tongue, whether through formal study, immersion, or necessity.
The term doesn't literally mean the second language someone learns—it simply distinguishes any non-native language from the first one acquired in childhood.
English is my second language, but I use it more than my first now.
Someone's proficiency in a second language can range from basic conversational ability to near-native fluency.
State of being submerged
- interlanguageEvolving system between tongues
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- critical periodOptimal developmental timeframe
- contrastive analysisMethod comparing language structures
code-switching · overgeneralization · uptake · noticing · scaffolding
Attending to sound
- speakingOral expression of language
- readingInterpreting written text
- writingRecorded language on surface
- pronunciationManner of speaking words
accent · intonation · vocabulary · grammar · syntax · comprehension · fluency · spelling
Interaction spanning distinct societies
- cultural competenceEffective cross-group interaction ability
- acculturationAdopting another group's customs
- culture shockDisorientation from unfamiliar ways
- lingua francaShared tongue between peoples
globalization · internationalization · expatriate · study abroad · cultural immersion · intercultural · localization
Language instruction abbreviation
- EFLNon-native language instruction
- ESOLForeign-speaker English program
- tutorIndividual instruction provider
- curriculumEducational program's content plan
syllabus · lesson plan · drill · flashcard · spaced repetition · online course · textbook · workbook
Smooth linguistic command
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- TOEFLEnglish proficiency exam
- IELTSEnglish proficiency examination
- intermediateBetween two levels
advanced · beginner · native-like · placement test · proficiency test · B1 · trilingual
immersion
State of being submerged
- interlanguageEvolving system between tongues
- fossilizationOrganic remains becoming mineral
- critical periodOptimal developmental timeframe
contrastive analysis · code-switching · overgeneralization · uptake · noticing · scaffolding
listening
Attending to sound
- speakingOral expression of language
- readingInterpreting written text
- writingRecorded language on surface
pronunciation · accent · intonation · vocabulary · grammar · syntax · comprehension · fluency · spelling · word order
cross-cultural communication
Interaction spanning distinct societies
- cultural competenceEffective cross-group interaction ability
- acculturationAdopting another group's customs
- culture shockDisorientation from unfamiliar ways
lingua franca · globalization · internationalization · expatriate · study abroad · cultural immersion · intercultural · localization
ESL
Language instruction abbreviation
- EFLNon-native language instruction
- ESOLForeign-speaker English program
- tutorIndividual instruction provider
curriculum · syllabus · lesson plan · drill · flashcard · spaced repetition · online course · textbook · workbook
fluency
Smooth linguistic command
intermediate · advanced · beginner · native-like · placement test · proficiency test · B1 · trilingual
- language educationbiliteracy, immersion, literacy skills, reading, immersion school
- language varietiesdialect, idiolect, sociolect, vernacular, accent
- Language Acquisitionbilingualism, interlanguage, universal grammar, critical period, nativism
- psycholinguisticsword recognition, tip of the tongue, tip-of-the-tongue, tip of tongue, priming
- languageword, words, grammar, spelling, alphabet
- language learningvocabulary lists, lessons, acquisition, basic vocabulary, grammar books
second languagefirst language
Tongue learned from birth
mother tongue · native language · native tongue · primary language · L1
second languagenative tongue
Language acquired from infancy
mother tongue · native language · home language · ancestral language · vernacular
second, language, bilingual, multilingual, language acquisition, foreign language