TABLE 2.1 “Average” order of acquisition of grammatical morphemes for English as a second language (children and adults)
The acquisition of grammatical structures proceeds in a predictable order. Child first language order != child second language order = adult second language order.
The natural order cannot be changed. It is immune to deliberate teaching. We cannot alter the natural order by explanations, drills, and exercises.
Examples of Natural Order
Negative Sentence Forming
- Negate sentences by placing a negative marker (such as “no”) outside (No the sun is shining).
- Puts the negative marker between the subject and the verb (I no want envelope).
- Use the word “don’t” for negation (You don’t want some supper). Where the “don’t” is used as an equivalent for “no.”
- The negative system approaches the native speaker standard, and don’t is reanalyzed.