Language acquisition (LA) and language learning (LL) are two different processes. Language acquisition is the unconscious process of learning a language, while language learning is the conscious process of learning a language.
Language acquisition is like how children learn their first language. It is a natural process that happens through exposure to the language. Children acquire language by listening to and interacting with people who speak the language. They don’t need to be explicitly taught the rules of the language to learn it.
Language learning is the process of consciously learning a language. This is often done in a classroom setting, where students are taught the grammar and vocabulary of the language. Language learners may also use textbooks, apps, and other resources to help them learn the language.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between language acquisition and language learning:
It is important to note that language acquisition and language learning are not mutually exclusive. Many people learn a language through a combination of acquisition and learning. For example, a child who grows up in a bilingual household may acquire one language from their parents and learn the other language in school.