Which of the following factors is likely to have the most significant impact on the degree to which an English language learner is able to acquire native-like pronunciation in English?
  1. The age at which the student begins learning English.
  2. The amount and type of second-language instruction the student receives.
  3. The grammatical features of the student's first language.
  4. The extent to which the student desires to maintain his or her first language.
Explanation
Correct Response: A. Language-acquisition research indicates that the earlier a student learns a new language, the greater the likelihood that the student will be able to acquire native-like pronunciation. B is incorrect because native-like pronunciation is rarely attained by older learners, regardless of the length of time they receive formal language instruction. C is incorrect because grammatical competence and pronunciation are not directly related to one another. A learner can achieve grammatical competence without achieving native-like pronunciation. D is incorrect because first- language maintenance does not have a direct effect on pronunciation of the second language. A person can speak English exclusively for years and never achieve native-like pronunciation, while another person, who learns English at a young age, can maintain the first language and also demonstrate native-like pronunciation in English. 
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