concluded after a study of second language acquirers in Holland that their
finding of superior initial performance by older learners was perhaps due to the greater academic demands placed on
these learners by the schools, creating higher levels of motivation in them than in younger learners to learn the
language necessary for success in school.
Whatever the reasons might be, practitioners should be alert to the differences between younger and older school
children in the amount of time required for them to develop second language skills adequate for schooling. Older
learners (ages 8 to 12) have an advantage, at least initially.