Which factor refers to prior experiences with the second language?

Which factor refers to prior experiences with the second language?

• A. Age of the learner
• B. Socioeconomic status
• C. Prior exposure to L2
• D. Language labs availability

Answer: (C)

Prior exposure to the second language captures what a learner has already encountered in L2, such as listening, speaking, reading, or interacting in that language before today. This history shapes what they can recognize and retrieve quickly, making pronunciation more natural, vocabulary easier to access, and grammar patterns easier to apply because familiar patterns have already been partially internalized. The more exposure a learner has had, the smoother the transition to new content tends to be, since processing demands are reduced and recognition is faster, supporting quicker progress. Age of the learner is tied to cognitive development and how language skills emerge over time, not the learner’s past experiences with L2. Socioeconomic status can influence access to resources or opportunities, but it doesn’t specify prior experiences with the language itself. Language labs availability describes a context or resource rather than the learner’s own cumulative encounters with L2.

Prior exposure to the second language captures what a learner has already encountered in L2, such as listening, speaking, reading, or interacting in that language before today. This history shapes what they can recognize and retrieve quickly, making pronunciation more natural, vocabulary easier to access, and grammar patterns easier to apply because familiar patterns have already been partially internalized. The more exposure a learner has had, the smoother the transition to new content tends to be, since processing demands are reduced and recognition is faster, supporting quicker progress.

Age of the learner is tied to cognitive development and how language skills emerge over time, not the learner’s past experiences with L2. Socioeconomic status can influence access to resources or opportunities, but it doesn’t specify prior experiences with the language itself. Language labs availability describes a context or resource rather than the learner’s own cumulative encounters with L2.