According to experts and their research, the earlier children
start learning a second language, the higher are their chances of
becoming more proficient as opposed to their learning of it
later. Researchers also claim that the most appropriate time to
learn another language is between six and thirteen years of age.
One theory that supports early language learning is the critical
period hypothesis. According to the theory there is a
biologically specific period of life when language can be learnt
more easily. Researchers like Lenneberg (1967) and Bickerton
(1981) state that after the critical period, certain abilities of
acquiring a language decrease. According to them second
language acquisition reaches a critical stage during puberty,
after which people usually do not learn a second language.
Linguistics professor Dr. Susan Curtiss, in a book by Curtan
and Dahlberg (2004), opines,
The power to learn a language is so great in the young
that it doesn’t seem to matter how many languages you seem to throw their way…They can learn as many
spoken language as you allow them to hear
systematically and regularly at the same time. Children
just have this capacity. Their brain is ripe to do this.
Again, according to Curtain and Dahlberg (2004), the main
factor in building foreign language proficiency is the amount of
time spent for learning the language. They state, “When
language learning begins earlier, it can go on longer and
provide more practice and experience, leading ultimately to
greater fluency and effectiveness”.
According to experts and their research, the earlier childrenstart learning a second language, the higher are their chances ofbecoming more proficient as opposed to their learning of itlater. Researchers also claim that the most appropriate time tolearn another language is between six and thirteen years of age.One theory that supports early language learning is the criticalperiod hypothesis. According to the theory there is abiologically specific period of life when language can be learntmore easily. Researchers like Lenneberg (1967) and Bickerton(1981) state that after the critical period, certain abilities ofacquiring a language decrease. According to them secondlanguage acquisition reaches a critical stage during puberty,after which people usually do not learn a second language.Linguistics professor Dr. Susan Curtiss, in a book by Curtanand Dahlberg (2004), opines,The power to learn a language is so great in the youngthat it doesn’t seem to matter how many languages you seem to throw their way…They can learn as manyspoken language as you allow them to hearsystematically and regularly at the same time. Childrenjust have this capacity. Their brain is ripe to do this.Again, according to Curtain and Dahlberg (2004), the mainfactor in building foreign language proficiency is the amount oftime spent for learning the language. They state, “Whenlanguage learning begins earlier, it can go on longer andprovide more practice and experience, leading ultimately togreater fluency and effectiveness”.
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