Case Studies of Two Second Language Learners of English

Abstract

This study focuses on the factors that affect learners in learning English as a second language and the different types of errors. It also focuses on the strategies that are followed by the two second language learners during a three-month period and how they may help to understand the behaviourism theory, cognitive theory, and socio-cultural theory. The aims of the study are to explore how learners learn a second language, to highlight methods that they use to learn English and to examine their abilities in English. The methods that are used for data collection are an interview, a grammar test, samples of writing in English, and observation. The findings are analysed in relation to behaviourism theory, cognitive theory, and socio-cultural theory. The findings reveal that age, motivation, and personality are the main factors that affect the two learners. It appears that the Critical Period Hypothesis may have an impact only in pronunciation and oral communication rather than grammatical ability. The study also shows that the socio-cultural context is the most essential theory in learning a second language as it considers mental processes and the socio-cultural context.