TOWARDS EXISTENCE OF CRITICAL PERIOD IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
https://doi.org/ 10.18384/2310-7219-2018-3-140-147
Abstract
This article deals with a critical period phenomenon among those studying a foreign language. Developing the notion of critical period in acquiring a native language, the researchers concluded that similar period may exist in the process of the second language acquisition. This resulted in a popular opinion that studying a foreign language after the early puberty will not be efficient. The research we conducted was aimed at comparing the results of testing two age groups (5 year-olds versus 23 year-olds). However, the data obtained did not show considerable quantitative differences in the number of errors made, though the error type varied. The results also demonstrate that learners’ age is not the only constituent of potential efficacy of language learning as motivation and language input can also be of particular importance. Possible use of the term “sensitive period” instead of “critical period” allows more flexible interpretation of this phenomenon.
About the Author
Svetlana S. Polskaya
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University)
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
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