Research on the acculturation model for second language acquisition

TLDR

The model posits that social and psychological variables cluster into a single construct, acculturation. The study presents a model of second language acquisition grounded in the social‑psychology of acculturation. The authors review six studies testing the Acculturation Model, evaluate them, discuss technical problems, and assess the model’s current status. The model predicts that learners acquire the target language to the extent they acculturate to the target language group. A preliminary version of this paper was presented at the 1984 symposium on Current Approaches to Second Language Acquisition at the University of Wisconsin‑Milwaukee.

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents a model of second language acquisition based on the social‐psychology of acculturation. The model maintains that certain social and psychological variables cluster into a single variable, acculturation. The model predicts that learners will acquire the target language to the degree they acculturate to the target language group. Six studies that, in various, ways seek to test the Acculturation Model are reviewed and evaluated. Technical problems that affect such research are discussed, and the current status of the model is assessed. Notes A preliminary version of this paper was presented at the symposium on Current Approaches to Second Language Acquisition, University of Wisconsin ‐ Milwaukee, March 29–31, 1984.