The Understanding and Comment of Individual Learner Difference

【Abstract】Language learning is a constructive process，in which learners construe the target language based on the acquired rules of grammar and syntax.However，the language that learners produce at early or later stages of the acquisition is different from the standard norms or in other words deviant form the target language from the socio-linguistic，psycho-linguistic and pragmatic points of views.Different learner lead to different learning effects.There are many factors influenced learners.

【Key word】L2 language； integrative； instrumental

1.The types of motivation

1.1 Instrumental motivation

Instrumental motivation refers to learners who treat the acquisition of a second language only as a means to achieve certain aims.The individual himself does not have the interest interaction with others.For example，the learner learn English in classroom in order that the can pass an examination in final exam.Actually，they dont have any interest to learn L2.

1.2 Integrative motivation

Learning the L2 in order to take part in culture of its people.When learners want to learn a language to become part of a speech community.People who immigrate to new countries are some examples of people who may want to identify with the community around them.An important aspect of this form of language learning is using language for social interaction.This form of motivation is thought to produce success in language learners.This is often compared to instrumental motivation.For a god language learner，they should reflect critically，construct and assert social identities.

2.Cognitive style

For cognitive style，field-dependence and field-independence are the most important style in language learning.Field-dependence was influenced by environment and other learners.Field-independence mainly understand according to analysis.It is the kind of cognitive style that has been studied by many people，so it is representative of all the cognitive styles.

3.General factors in individual learner difference

3.1 age

Critical period hypothesis claim that human beings are only capable of learning their first language between the age of two years old and the early teen.In short，younger learners are more likely to attain fluency and native--like pronunciation through communicative practice strategies.Because of their more developed abstract thinking capabilities，older language learners often use strategies that allow them to analyze the grammatical system and to apply greater “world knowledge” to the language leaning context.In language learning，the learners are teens in my class，sometimes they have some grammatical knowledge for its learning，so they have some advantages in language learning for their age.

3.2 personality

Personality refers to those aspects of a second language learners behavior，attitude，beliefs，thoughts，actions and feelings that are seen as typical and distinctive of that person and recognized as such by that person and others.Personality includes factors such as self-esteem，inhibition，anxiety and so on.They can contribute to motivation and the choice of learning strategies.For example，for some extroverted learners，they are not afraid of making mistakes，and prefer to learn together with other.Opposite，for introverted learner，they are afraid of making mistakes.So we should consider the different personality for the class.

3.3 aptitude

Language aptitude can divide into four parts：phonemic coding ability、grammatical sensitivity、inductive language learning and rote learning ability.For example，some learners for English knowledge，they have the capability to remember the knowledge quickly，they neednt spend much time to comprehend the learning.So I think the aptitude is one of the most important factors for individual learners.

3.4 attitude

Without any motivation or positive attitude，there can hardly be a successful process of learning，Saigon（according to Ellis）even declares that attitude is the single most important factor in second language learning.Different attitude lead to different learning effect.If learners possess a positive attitude，they will focus on learning carefully and promptly.Otherwise，they would lose heart when encounter some mistakes or difficulties.And this moment，for a teacher，we should give some encouragement and enthusiasm to the learners.

4.Conclusion

It is undoubtedly true that learners have many different individual characteristics to the second language learning which will affect their language learning.But no matter how influenced by these factors，the most important thing is to keep the positive motivation for the language learning.

作者簡介：賈鐘琦，女，（1986-），廣東東莞人，英語語言文學講師，研究方向：英語語言學。