Reflection - Assignment Example

I consider myself as a bilingual person who uses Arabic Language and English language at the same time. I am additionally bilingual (or multiple bilingual). My personal experience concurs in many ways with the ideas stated in Baker’s chapter three “Second Language Acquisition and Learning”.I believe Baker’s book on this subject conforms to my beliefs about a second language. As mentioned in the book there are a lot of reasons why one may resort to learning a second language. He tells his writers what is the importance of maintaining and preserving a second language once you start learning it.

I remember when I started learning English it was not that easy for me to get hold of it since I came from an Arabic background. However, had my mom not made sure that all the siblings spoke to each other in English, my speech wouldn’t have been the way it is. Hence, the maintenance factor came in which helped me continually polish my language skills.I also agree to Baker when he says one of the reasons for acquiring a second language is to make you culturally aware. I remember when I moved into college it wasn’t really that difficult for me to get along with other students since I had a pretty good understanding of the English culture and the language itself.

However, I noticed how people who weren’t really familiar with the English language and culture found it very difficult to get along with the local students. It’s inspiring to see how Baker has put down in words a lot of thing that I have experienced in real life.Being a bilingual and aware of the local language of a country also helps you a lot in getting selected for a job. Baker has correctly mentioned this point in his book by saying that acquiring language helps a lot in career in employment.

Not only the employment factor but it also helps a great deal in communicating effectively with foreigners while closing trade deals etc. I can totally connect the dots here to my own experience. I remember how one of my cousins raised in Arabia found it very challenging in finding a proper job in out country. Not that he wasn’t good at academics or anything but most of the potential employers told him the only reason they are hesitant about hiring him is that he isn’t familiar much with the English language and they believe it might some how hinder his performance at work.

I believe going through Baker’s “Second Language Acquisition And Learning” has not only conformed my beliefs as to what I think of being a bilingual but it has further enhanced my knowledge of different contexts and situations one encounters while learning a language. I would like to wind it up by saying that learning more and more languages not only help a person to become a better communicator, but opens up many other career and professional choices for him.