What is language learning?

Language learning is the process of learning a language consciously through study, instructions, practice and testing.

What is language acquisition?

Language acquisition is the process of learning a language subconsciously through comprehensible input (listening to speech or reading content that is comprehensible even though some individual words or grammatical structures might not be).

Comparison

	Language Acquisition	Language Learning
Method	Learning occurs through exposure to language in meaningful contexts, such as conversations and daily life.	Learning is typically guided by structured lessons, textbooks, and language courses.
Processing in the brain	Mostly subconscious through exposure to language.	Mostly conscious through memorization and explicit learning.
Fluency	Can lead to native-like fluency and intuitive understanding of the language.	Fluency may vary and may not reach native-like proficiency.
Focus	Focuses on understanding.	Focuses on explicit learning of grammar rules & vocabulary and testing.
Errors	Errors are common but are seen as a natural part of the learning process.	Errors may be corrected and emphasized as part of language instruction.
Anxiety	Generally lower anxiety levels, as learning is natural and occurs in context.	Higher anxiety levels may be associated with language learning, especially in formal settings where testing is present.
Time	Timeframe varies, but it can take several years to become proficient.	Can be more time-efficient for achieving basic proficiency, but mastery may take longer.
Cultural Understanding	Often includes a deep understanding of the culture associated with the language.	Cultural understanding may be limited to what is taught in language classes.
Environment	Can occur in any environment where the language is spoken or written, including immersion environments.	Takes place in settings that provide structure, such as classrooms and language schools.

Which method to prefer?

Babies (and young children) only have subconscious learning available to them. So, language acquisition is the only way.

Adults, however, can also learn consciously. But just because something can be done, doesn’t mean it’s the best way to go. When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail.

Language acquisition is fundamental to fluency. However, language learning might provide a quick boost - it helps with some grammatical pattern recognition etc. that might take a long time otherwise.

So, ideally, these methods should be combined. Conscious learning can considerably speed up pattern recognition and the memorization of some basic vocabulary. However, one can’t consciously memorize 50,000 words and countless grammar rules.

So, conscious language learning methods should be considered as a turbo boost to language acquisition, not the other way around.

It’s pretty clear that it’s impossible for babies to acquire a language consciously. It’s also impossible for adults yet that’s what most language classes and apps try to make you do.

Notes about the graph

The input numbers for babies and children are based on the study done by Hart & Risley (1995). This is the high end of spectrum for babies from professional families as this results in better academic outcomes and more diverse vocabulary.

The output numbers for babies and children are taken from the study by Klaus (1985).

The numbers for language classes and apps are estimations - Duolingo users spend on average around 15 min per day in Duolingo while language classes usually don’t last more one hour per day on average. At least half of that time in both cases is usually spent on output.

All these numbers are estimates and provided for illustration purposes. It doesn’t matter much if they are 10% higher or lower.

Comparison of simplified models