Probe into language transfer in foreign language learning

Abstract

Language transfer has been a hot topic in second language acquisition for many years. Generally speaking, there are two types of transfer, positive transfer and negative transfer. Positive transfer results in correct performance while negative transfer results in errors. At first, this paper presents the concept of transfer, and then it analyzes the factors, which affect the language transfer, including kinship, learning environment, teaching method, linguistic knowledge and experience, and learners' cognitive ability. At last, the author puts forward three suggestions for foreign language teaching in order to improve learners' language learning efficiency. © 2011 ACADEMY PUBLISHER Manufactured in Finland.