Editing Second-language acquisition (section)

== Attrition ==
{{Main|Second-language attrition}}
Second-language attrition refers to the loss of proficiency in a language that was previously acquired, often due to a lack of use or exposure.{{sfn|Loewen|Reinders|2011}} Factors influencing attrition include the level of initial proficiency, age, social circumstances, and motivation.{{sfn|Hansen|1999|pp=3–10}} A learner's L2 is not suddenly lost with disuse, but its communicative functions are slowly replaced by those of the L1.{{sfn|Hansen|1999|pp=3–10}} 

Similar to second-language acquisition, second-language attrition occurs in stages. However, according to the regression hypothesis, the stages of attrition occur in reverse order of acquisition. With acquisition, receptive skills develop first, and then productive skills, and with attrition, productive skills are lost first, and then receptive skills.{{sfn|Hansen|1999|pp=3–10}}