This article explores ways in which studies in second language acquisition (SLA) research can illuminate first language acquisition research. The discussion revolves around the issues of learner strategies, individual variation, the acquisition of late learned structures, bilingualism, the role of Universal Grammar (UG) and the fate of obsolete knowledge in acquisition. It is argued that second language research in these (and other) areas can provide fresh insights into familiar problems and raise issues not commonly given consideration in first language acquisition studies.
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