Abstract

Besides the investigation of teaching and learning in language research, language attrition, as the concomitant product of language acquisition, is also known to produce significant influence on the language development. Exploring general language phenomena, linguistic factors and extra-linguistic ones are found to maximize the foreign language learning and teaching. 

However, the paper mainly aims to illustrate some extra-linguistic factors, such as age at the onset of language attrition, gender difference, learning motivation, learning aptitude, ethnic affiliation, through a though literature review of the convincing theories from some scholars on different ideas about foreign language attrition at home and abroad.

The goal of the paper is to offer some constructive suggestions for foreign language learners and thus they can improve their language proficiency and make their foreign language learning more effective and efficient. In addition, it also gives enlightenment to the foreign language teachers, indicating that they can help learners to learn English well by mastering the law of language learning.

Key words: foreign language attrition; extra-linguistic factors;   suggestions to teachers and learners 

Contents

Abstract

摘要

1.Introduction1

1.1 Background of the Study.2

1.2 Significance of the Study2

1.3 Structure of the Thesis...3

2.Literature Review3

2.1 The Definition of Attrition3

2.2 Research on Extralinguistic Factors of Attrition3

3.Analysis of Extralinguistic Factors of Attrition 4

3.1 Age at the Onset of language Attrition4

3.2 Sex Difference ........5

3.3 Learning Motivation...6

3.4 Language Aptitude7

3.5 Ethnic Affiliation..8

4.Suggestions for Language teachers and Learners.9

4.1 Emphasis on the Critical Period..9

4.2 Different Learning Strategies to Different Sexes10

4.3 Making Good Use of Emotional Factors11

4.4 Improving the Language Ability Before Attrition12

4.5 Paying Attention to the Ethnic Effect12

5. Conclusion..12

Works Cited...14