In this chapter, we describe theories about language and language acquisition, including how children and young people acquire a second language in school. After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Explain how experts have defined language proficiency and communicative competence.
2. Define academic language and explain why it is important for English learners.
3. Discuss how language functions as a symbol and instrument of power, social standing, and personal identity.
4. Discuss theories that have been proposed to explain first and second language acquisition.
5. Describe language traits and developmental sequences researchers have discovered in English language acquisition.
6. Explain how social, emotional, cultural, and educational factors interact to influence English language development in school.