According to Schumann, what relationship exists between acculturation and L2 acquisition?

According to Schumann, what relationship exists between acculturation and L2 acquisition?

• A. The degree of acculturation controls the degree to which L2 is acquired
• B. L2 acquisition controls acculturation
• C. Acculturation has no effect on L2
• D. Acculturation slows L2 learning

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that acculturation to the language community shapes how much and how well a learner can acquire the second language. Schumann argues that when learners become more integrated into the target-language society—forming social ties, adopting some language norms, and reducing social distance—they receive more genuine L2 input and encounter fewer attitudes barriers. This richer exposure, plus more positive feelings toward the L2 culture, tends to accelerate both the rate and the extent of L2 learning. In this view, acculturation effectively drives L2 development: higher acculturation leads to greater L2 attainment. The other options don’t fit this model because they imply L2 determines acculturation, or that acculturation has no effect or even slows learning, which contradicts the proposed positive, predictive link from acculturation to L2 acquisition.

The main idea here is that acculturation to the language community shapes how much and how well a learner can acquire the second language. Schumann argues that when learners become more integrated into the target-language society—forming social ties, adopting some language norms, and reducing social distance—they receive more genuine L2 input and encounter fewer attitudes barriers. This richer exposure, plus more positive feelings toward the L2 culture, tends to accelerate both the rate and the extent of L2 learning. In this view, acculturation effectively drives L2 development: higher acculturation leads to greater L2 attainment. The other options don’t fit this model because they imply L2 determines acculturation, or that acculturation has no effect or even slows learning, which contradicts the proposed positive, predictive link from acculturation to L2 acquisition.