Video transcript

Implications for teaching

PROFESSOR ROUMYANA SLABAKOVA: Why should we care what is easy and what is hard in
second language acquisition? Well, it's very clear. If teachers understand what is hard to
learn, they can spend more time in the classroom practicing it with their students.

If students understand what is hard to learn, they will pay attention to the grammar
morphemes, the little words and endings of words, not only when studying, but also when
speaking. Learning those little words and endings is hard. It is even harder to use them
automatically without thinking in second language speech.

But they are indispensable. And they are worth the effort. Practise makes them perfect.
Remember, in second language acquisition, as well as in many other things in life, no pain, no
gain.

University of Southampton © 2014 Page 1 of 1 Understanding Language