Interlanguage Analysis for Foreign Language Teaching.

This paper outlines a comprehensive approach to uncovering the process of second language acquisition, entitled Interlanguage Analysis (IA), and defines the features and aims of this analysis. IA regards the transitional linguistic system from the learner's first language (L1) to the target language (TL) as interlanguage (IL). Language acquisition research needs to examine the common and differing elements of L1, TL, and IL as they relate to the learning and communicative strategies employed by learners. Error analysis needs to focus not only on mistakes but successes as well. The goals of IA include: (1) the establishment of a well-knit theory of foreign language acquisition; (2) the elucidation of teaching and learning methods and materials; and (3) the establishment of a data-bank of universal grammar. Contains 10 references. (MDM)