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This distinction is probably due to Ellis (1985) . Route refers to the transitional stages that L2 learners go through in acquiring properties of the L2 (see natural order hypothesis ). Rate refers to the time it takes to pass through them. While all learners go through the same stages in acquiring some L2 phenomena, certain individuals are faster at doing so than others. Learners who consciously ‘know the rules’ seem to be faster than those who do not (see teachability hypothesis and classroom studies in sla ). Adolescent and young adults appear to be faster than young children in the early stages of SLA (see age learning differences ). (See also consciousness raising , teaching grammar.) ( 1985 ). Understanding Second Language Acquisition . Oxford : Oxford University Press . ... log in or subscribe to read full text