LEARNING AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE IS VERY MUCH LIKE
learning a first language, some researchers theorize. They contend that
the brain may be “hard wired” or programmed to learn language, so that,
regardless of whether it’s the first or subsequent language being learned,
the process of acquiring it is similar. Therefore, much like a toddler will
learn her first language in the context of daily encounters
with the real world and interactions with other
people, so will a student learn a second language best
when he can learn it in an authentic and interactive
environment (Radford, Netten, & Duquette, 1997).