The Critical Period Hypothesis Lynn W Zimmerman, PhD

First Language Acquisition A few documented cases of children who have had difficulty developing language

Children as Second Language Learners Conventional wisdom children are better language learners than adults Generally can master the language with little or no accent Difficult for most adults

Adult Second Language Learners Adults have more to learn than children. expected to have a developed vocabulary expected to use complex syntax Generally have less time to learn a language than children Fewer opportunities to use the language Less social interaction Less comprehensible input

Effects of Age on SLA Krashen, Long, and Scarcella (1979) Adults proceed through the early stages of 2nd language development faster than children do Older children acquire faster than younger children Acquirers who begin natural exposure to second languages during childhood generally achieve higher proficiency than those beginning as adults It appears then that children are superior to adults only in the long run.

Comprehensible Input Young children receive simpler input than older children or adults. Older acquirers Are better able to regulate the quantity and quality of their input. Are better at encouraging speech and at getting the speaker to modify it. have better conversational competence than younger leaners.

The Monitor Older children and adults use the Monitor more effectively than younger children. Krashen asserts - this ability to obtain comprehensible input is the actual causative variable enabling older children and adults to acquire at a faster rate, not age itself.

The Affective Filter Child’s superiority in ultimate attainment is due to the strengthening of the affective filter around puberty. The ability to acquire is no different; the filter is just stronger, limiting input.

Critical Period Hypothesis Limited developmental period during which it is possible to acquire a language, whether L1 or L2 to native-like levels. Once this window of opportunity has passed, the ability to acquire and even learn language declines (Lennenberg, 1967). Language learning requires more conscious effort after puberty.

Sensitive Period Hypothesis CPH predicts a dramatic drop-off. SPH argues that there is a gradual decline. Allowance for variation in attainment.

References Freeman, D. & Freeman, Y. (2014). Essential linguistics. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann. Gass, S. & Selinker, L. (2008). Second language acquisition. NY: Routledge. Krashen, S. (1981). Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon Press.