Theoretical and Experimental Research on Grammatical Development and Attrition in the Process of Second Language Acquisition

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The purpose of the investigation was to conduct research on the following issues: The influence of a second language on one's first language (L1); the maintenance and/or the loss of proficiency in the L1 and the acquisition, maintenance and possible loss of proficiency in the second language (L2). We have investigated the causes of change (if any change has taken place) and proposed the type of education a child or a language learner needs for further language development. The main findings are the following:(1) Regarding the L1 loss of foreign children who reside in Japan, some children showed gain while others showed loss in their cognitive ability. Chinese children generally observed development in L2 Japanese but there was a variation among Filipino children. (2) Japanese returnees showed no loss in their listening abilities and grammar in L2 English. (3) Japanese and Spanish learners of English and English and Chinese learners of Japanese observed some L1 effects in their L2.