Avoidance

Definition

Avoidance refers to the behavior of staying away from certain situations, stimuli, or tasks that may cause discomfort, anxiety, or fear. In the context of bilingualism and second language acquisition, avoidance can manifest as a reluctance to engage in communication or practice in the target language, which can hinder language learning and fluency.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Avoidance behavior can significantly impede second language acquisition by limiting opportunities for practice and interaction.
2. Learners may avoid speaking a second language due to fear of making mistakes or being judged by others, which exacerbates their anxiety.
3. Research shows that avoidance is often linked to lower self-esteem and confidence in language abilities, creating a cycle that further discourages practice.
4. Avoidance can lead to a lack of exposure to the target language, making it more difficult for learners to develop their skills over time.
5. Strategies to combat avoidance include creating supportive learning environments, encouraging risk-taking, and providing positive reinforcement for effort.

Review Questions

• How does avoidance behavior affect the process of acquiring a second language?
  • Avoidance behavior negatively impacts second language acquisition by preventing learners from practicing and engaging with the language. When individuals choose not to speak or participate in activities that require the use of the target language, they miss out on essential opportunities for growth and fluency development. This behavior often stems from feelings of anxiety or fear of judgment, leading to a cycle where avoidance further hinders their progress in learning the language.
• Discuss the relationship between language anxiety and avoidance behaviors in bilingual learners.
  • Language anxiety is closely related to avoidance behaviors in bilingual learners because high levels of anxiety can lead individuals to withdraw from using the second language altogether. When learners feel nervous about communicating in their non-native tongue, they may choose to avoid speaking or participating in discussions that require its use. This avoidance reinforces their anxiety and creates a barrier to developing their communicative competence and confidence in the target language.
• Evaluate strategies that can be implemented to reduce avoidance behaviors among second language learners and enhance their acquisition process.
  • To reduce avoidance behaviors among second language learners, educators and practitioners can implement various strategies aimed at creating a supportive environment. Encouraging risk-taking by normalizing mistakes as part of the learning process can help alleviate anxiety. Additionally, providing positive feedback and reinforcement for effort can boost learners' confidence. Collaborative activities that promote peer interaction can also encourage practice in a less intimidating setting, ultimately helping learners engage more with the language and decrease avoidance.

Related terms

Language Anxiety: The feeling of nervousness or fear that individuals may experience when using a second language, which can lead to avoidance behaviors.

Interlanguage: The evolving language system that learners create as they progress in acquiring a second language, which may be influenced by avoidance strategies.

Communicative Competence: The ability to use a language effectively in various contexts, which can be negatively impacted by avoidance behavior.