Language Learning and Age
According to age, there is a certain age where learning is at it's peak. The critical period hypothesis states that there is a certain time when learning a second language is at it's highest potential. Some say that it ends by age seven or can go all the way up through puberty, but after that period is over it is really difficult for a student to learn a second language. There are some cases in which it is possible but it very unlikely that after puberty a person will learn another language entirely (Edmonds, n.d.).
Where a child learns a second language better at a younger age, it is a tremendous idea for a child to be put into an early-immersion program. The child learns everything that they need to know, but in another language. By learning the fundamental subjects in a different language it will benefit them academically. (Edmonds, n.d.). When you learn a second language at a younger age it does not onterfere with your primary language. (Edmonds, n.d.). Age has a tremendous impact on the ease and speed of second/foreign language learning even though there has been no general agreement on the specific age. There is much evidence that shows the approval of L2 learning in early childhood because of the critical period. Although, the concept of critical period is applicable to L1 acquisition, and it is also applicable to the learning a second language. Anybody can learn a new language at any age but it is much more beneficial the younger you begin learning it (Hamidi, 2012). Sources: Edmonds, M. (n.d.). HowStuffWorks "What's the best age to learn a new language?". Retrieved from http://people.howstuffworks.com/best-age-learn-language.htm Hamidi, H. (2012). Best time to start foreign/ second language. - Najafi & Hamidi | Hadi Hamidi (Ed) - Academia.edu. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/3061797/Best_time_to_start_foreign_second_language._-_Najafi_and_Hamidi |