SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION IN THE CONTEXT OF ARAB LEARNERS OF ENGLISH

This article aims at investigating the similarities and differences between first language (Arabic) and second language (English) acquisition in the context of Arab Learners of English ALEs. The author compares and contrasts the target languages (Arabic and English) to identify the similarities and differences in the acquisition of L1 and L2. The analyses of the linguistic items taken from L1 and L2 indicate that there are similarities and differences in the acquisition of both Arabic Language as an L1 and English Language as an L2. It is also indicated that L1 has positive and negative impact on the acquisition of L2 as well.