A Neurolinguistic Perspective of L2 Acquisition: An Overview

Second language acquisition is an enormously a complex phenomenon. Second language means
learning any language next to the learner’s first language. This paper brings out the approaches of
second language acquisition and the perceptions of learners. The approaches are linguistic,
neurolinguistic, cognition, and socio cultural. It is not possible for the learner to describe the language
system, because the second language learners find hard to develop it. In learning a new language
formal and informal way of learning takes place. Formal learning means classroom based learning, in
which the learner acquires the language in a systematic way. In informal learning, the learners acquire
the language through picking up from the native speaker or through internet. Stephen Krashen
distinguishes this formal and informal as conscious learning and unconscious learning. The theoretical
perspectives of second language acquisition are discussed in this paper. Universal grammar
approach is the most influential linguistic theory in the field of acquiring the second language. This
theory attempts to find out the linguistic knowledge in second language learners’ mind. This paper
also deals with how the features of language input affect language learning through input based
perspective and learner based perspective. It also analyses the role of memory in language learning
through cognitive approach. This paper also brings out the sociolinguistic perspectives and its impact
in the field of second language learning.