Acculturation Model for L2 Acquisition: Review and Evaluation
In the last decade, research on second language acquisition (SLA) expanded enormously. The research literature abounds in approaches, theories, models, laws, and principles. It should be mentioned that theorizing in SLA should follow extensive and rigorous empirical research. Irrespective of these methodological issues, SLA research has gone ahead and spawned a plethora of theories. Ritchie & Bhatia (1996) assert that as empirical results on SLA became increasingly available in the 1970s, several general models of SLA were proposed with the purpose of integrating these results. Ellis (1985) identified seven key areas of SLA research: the acculturation model, accommodation theory, discourse theory, the monitor model, the variable competence model, the universal hypothesis, and neurofunctional theory (p.248). Though the assumptions underlying each model may be well motivated, none of the proponents, as yet, has suggested systematic methodologies to investigate the validity of the statements evolved from these models. This paper is an attempt to review, evaluate, and critique the validity of acculturation model. The procedures will be to: (a) briefly summarize the model  (b) examine the validity of the statements evolving from this theory, (c) review empirical evidence reported on in favor or against this theory, and (d) discuss the practical implication of this model in SLA.