Final answer:
The statement is true, as skills and knowledge from a learner's first language can aid in learning a second language across various areas, including vocabulary, grammar, and literacy skills.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question addresses the connection between first language (L1) and second language (L2) acquisition. The statement 'Benefits from L1 occur across diverse areas of L2 learning' is true. Research has shown that skills and knowledge from a learner's first language can assist in learning a second language. This cross-linguistic influence can happen in various areas such as vocabulary acquisition, understanding of grammatical structures, and the development of reading and writing skills. These benefits arise because learners can transfer cognitive and linguistic understanding from L1 to L2, using their established knowledge base as a scaffold to facilitate new language learning. It is also worth noting that while transfer can lead to positive outcomes, it can also result in interference if the L1 and L2 have significant differences.