What is meant by first additional language?

"First Additional Language" (FAL) is a term used in some education systems, particularly in South Africa and other parts of the world with multilingual populations. It refers to the second language that a student learns after their mother tongue (home language).

Here's a breakdown:

* Mother Tongue/Home Language: This is the language a child learns first, usually from their parents and family.

* First Additional Language (FAL): This is the first language learned after the mother tongue, typically in a formal educational setting.

* Second Additional Language (SAL): This is the second language learned after the FAL, often introduced later in the education system.

Example:

* A child whose mother tongue is Xhosa might learn English as their FAL and Afrikaans as their SAL.

Important Note:

* The term "First Additional Language" can be used in different contexts. In some cases, it may refer to a language that is commonly spoken in the region, even if it's not the child's native language.

It's essential to consider the specific context when interpreting the meaning of "First Additional Language."