THE LANGUAGE LEARNING PROCESS: WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LEARNER?*

Abstract

This paper attempts to answer the following questions:

a. Howdopeoplelearnlanguages?
b. Whataretheimplicationsofthelanguagelearningprocessfromsecondlanguageteaching?

To answer the first question, the paper discusses the main theories of language learning, the learning variables that come into play and the strategies the learner adopts in hi~ effort to learn the language.

To answer the second question, discussion is focused on the learning of language structures and functions; the role of errors, and the role of translation.

Knowledge of the second language learning process that a teacher gains from his learner could certainly help the teacher in tile planning and the conduct of his teaching.