andrespråkfremmedspråk

Andrespråkfremmedspråk is a term used in linguistics and language education to describe the acquisition of a second language that is not the learner's first or heritage language, and is also not the dominant language of the society in which they are learning it. Essentially, it refers to learning a foreign language in a context where it is not regularly used in everyday life or the educational environment outside of formal instruction.

This concept distinguishes itself from the acquisition of a second language in immersion settings, where the target language is the primary medium of communication. For example, a native Spanish speaker learning English in Spain is learning English as an andrespråkfremmedspråk. Conversely, if that same Spanish speaker were to move to the United States and attend school where English is the dominant language, their acquisition of English would be considered a second language in a more direct sense, potentially an L2 in an immersion context.

The learning context significantly impacts the methods and challenges involved in acquiring an andrespråkfremmedspråk. Learners often rely on classroom instruction, textbooks, and potentially limited exposure through media or tutors. The lack of consistent, authentic use outside of structured learning environments can make achieving fluency more difficult and require different pedagogical approaches compared to second language acquisition in a target-language community. Understanding andrespråkfremmedspråk is crucial for designing effective language programs and for recognizing the unique learning trajectories of individuals.