How is language learned?

Answer 1

There are different theories of how language is learned. One is the reinforcement model. This explains language development is the result of learning through the pairing of stimulus and response in the presence of appropriate reinforcement. Then, there is the social learning theory. This theory states that children learn language by listening, observing, and imitating models. The interactions between people teach the child.

A new theory about learning language as a second language states that if a child is speaking in the first language ( L1) to learn a second language (L2) he or she must be fully versed in the first language. The L1 acts as a foundation for the learning of the L2. Without this the learning of the L2 is much harder.