Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS) · Research article · Open access
Languages Acquisition and Languages Learning: When, Where, Why, How?
GUMANDA KAFENI Evelyne, MUKANANKIE MAMPIA Marcelin, MIMBU EDZEK Garry
22 May 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 5, pp. 616-625
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-15
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What is this article about?
This study investigates the distinction between language acquisition and language learning, focusing on how these concepts are understood by secondary school students and teachers in Kindele Quarter, Kinshasa (Mont-Ngafula). The main objective is to examine when, where, why, and how languages are acquired and learned, as well as to identify common misconceptions surrounding these two processes.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 22 May 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 5, pp. 616-625
- ISSN
- 3051-3561 (online) · 3051-3553 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
This study investigates the distinction between language acquisition and language learning, focusing on how these concepts are understood by secondary school students and teachers in Kindele Quarter, Kinshasa (Mont-Ngafula). The main objective is to examine when, where, why, and how languages are acquired and learned, as well as to identify common misconceptions surrounding these two processes. A qualitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to thirty-five respondents selected from an initial sample of sixty students and teachers. The data were analyzed thematically and presented in descriptive tables. The findings reveal a widespread confusion between language acquisition and language learning among participants. Most respondents incorrectly associated language acquisition with environmental locations such as home rather than recognizing it as a subconscious cognitive process occurring in the brain. Similarly, language learning was not clearly understood as a conscious and formal process, but was instead linked to informal contexts. The study also highlights limited understanding of key linguistic concepts such as grammar, pragmatics, and the communicative function of language. The results confirm that insufficient background knowledge in linguistics contributes significantly to these misconceptions. The study concludes that there is a need to strengthen linguistic awareness in both teacher training and classroom practice. It recommends the integration of basic linguistic theory into language education and the promotion of communicative teaching approaches to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
Keywords: language acquisition, language learning, linguistics, cognitive processes, multilingual education
Cite this article
GUMANDA KAFENI Evelyne, MUKANANKIE MAMPIA Marcelin, & MIMBU EDZEK Garry (2026). Languages Acquisition and Languages Learning: When, Where, Why, How?. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(5), 616-625. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-15
@article{GUMANDA2026,
title = {Languages Acquisition and Languages Learning: When, Where, Why, How?},
author = {GUMANDA KAFENI Evelyne and MUKANANKIE MAMPIA Marcelin and MIMBU EDZEK Garry},
journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {5},
pages = {616-625},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-15},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-15}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
GUMANDA KAFENI Evelyne, MUKANANKIE MAMPIA Marcelin, MIMBU EDZEK Garry.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, Volume 2, Issue 5, pages 616-625, published by EP Journals Group on 22 May 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-15 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-15).
How do I cite this article?
APA: GUMANDA KAFENI Evelyne, MUKANANKIE MAMPIA Marcelin, & MIMBU EDZEK Garry (2026). Languages Acquisition and Languages Learning: When, Where, Why, How?. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(5), 616-625. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-15
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