The developmental acquisition of English grammar as an additional language

The results are presented here of an investigation into the development of receptive and expressive English grammar when this is acquired as a second language. A cross-sectional survey using standardised assessments was condu cted. 103 children were randomly selected from three local primary schools. These children were aged between 5 and 11 years and were acquiring, Englis h sequentially. Data relating to the receptive and expressive grammar of En glish as a second language was collected from each child. Analysis of this data revealed preliminary developmental patterns that appear to be specific to the sequential acquisition of English grammar. This data confirms the i mportance of not using data pertaining to the acquisition of first language English for English that is acquired as a second language.