How do I acquire my L2?


Different pond, different fish. This proverb works for many cases, one of them is in acquiring second language (L2). I do believe all people have their own way to acquire their L2. These differences occur because people born to be different, although we have similarities in our brain, body and so on. We have some weakness and strength in several factors that influence us to be different. In this essay, I would like to discuss how I acquire my L2.

First of all I will define what second language (L2) is. According to Troike (2006), second language is the language that used officially by society and government for many areas and institutions. It is often acquired by immigrants who are native in another language. For example, I am Indonesian who is studying in Harvard University in USA. In this situation, English is my L2. In the real life, English also my second language since I enter English Study Program in University of Jambi. Why I use “since I enter English Study Program in University of Jambi”? I will explain it.

In the definition above, second language is the language that officially used by society and government. In Indonesia, the official language is Bahasa Indonesia. For the most people in Indonesia, our first language is Bahasa Daerah. So, we can say that actually Bahasa Indonesia is the second language. However, in the term bilingualism, most people in Indonesia are bilingual. We acquire Bahasa Daerah and Bahasa Indonesia in our childhood. It means, both of language is our first language. Then I enter English Study Program. Most of learning activities are used English. For graduating, I have to write a thesis written in English. It means, English is the main language in my major. That’s why, English is my L2.

In acquiring my L2, I have passed several steps. I have learned English since I was third grader student in Elementary School. At the time till I entered Senior High School, English is kind of memorizing subject for me. I couldn’t perform it well if I didn’t prepare it first. Besides, English was not my favorite subject although I get a high score for that. Maybe it was because I am good in memorizing.

Then destiny leads my way to choose English Education as my major in university. I learn English all day, from the easiest material till the sophisticated one. Different from my experience in school, English in college is more interesting for me. I guess, it is because the motivation that I get from my environment. I met one of my senior who gets the chance in Indonesia Canada Youth Exchange Program. I also have lecturers who are graduated from university abroad. They inspire me to go abroad someday.

Besides that, my lectures about education make me realize there is something wrong with teaching practice especially English teaching in school that can’t effectively help student to be active speaker. I’m eager to change this condition. Indirectly, these two situations motivate me to study more and more.

Fortunately, I finally find how to learn English in fun way. I relate English with my hobbies. I love reading, listening to the music and watching movie. So, I read article in English. If I find the new word, I will search the meaning in dictionary. I enrich my vocabulary through reading. Then, I listen to the English music. I listen to the song and read the lyric. It helps me in pronunciation and listening skill. In watching movie, I get many things. I learn how to use idioms, collocation, and utterances that often used in daily conversation.

As student in English Education, I learn English for communication and teaching activities. I’m not learn how to use kinds of sentences but why we use this sentence. In short, I understand the concept so I can modify it if needed. I’m not memorizing. I understand.

In conclusion, there are several factors that influence me in acquiring my L2. The psychological factor such as motivation gives a very big influence for me. It is supported by environment (lectures and community) around me that help me to practice my English

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