EXPLORING THE ACQUISITION AND DEVELOPMENT OF PAST TENSE-ASPECT FORMS IN ALBANIAN ESL LEARNERS AND YOUNG NATIVE ALBANIAN SPEAKERS: AN ASPECT HYPOTHESIS APPROACH

This study investigates the acquisition of tense-aspect systems in Albanian learners, focusing on adult English as a Second Language (ESL) learners and young native Albanian speakers. Guided by the Aspect Hypothesis (AH), which posits that verb aspectual features influence tense-aspect acquisition, the research explores whether these groups follow universal patterns. Data was collected from adult Albanian ESL learners (bachelor students) and young Albanian pupils (grades 2-5) through written compositions, narrative descriptions, and demographic questionnaires. The findings reveal distinct differences in past tense use: Albanian ESL learners show a more complex and variable pattern, while L1 Albanian speakers follow a more predictable sequence, supporting AH. This study contributes to understanding the application of the Aspect Hypothesis across different languages and age groups, providing valuable insights for improving teaching strategies and curriculum design for Albanian ESL learners.