A Study Of Age Factor In Second Language Acquisition

Age difference in the process of second language learning (SLL) is obvious. According to many studies, the age factor is one of the most important individual factors which have always been the study focus of linguists and perhaps one of the most controversial issues.The Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH) is a widely-held proposal that there is a specific and limited period for language acquisition, and after which language acquisition is not possible. The CPH was first proposed by Penfield and Roberts (1959), and later was supported by Lenneberg (1967). Because of this popular belief, many Chinese parents now give their children earlier English exposure.Facing the tendency of learning English at a lower age, the present study sets out to investigate the correlation between onset age and the students' English competence. The author hopes to promote comprehensible understanding of onset age factor in foreign language learning and what kind of teaching and learning strategies to adopt.In order to prove if it is better to let children start learning a second language earlier(3 years old or above 3), the author made a study. The present study employs non-English sophomores in two classes as the subjects to investigate the relationship between onset age and English competence. The results show that those who are exposed to English at an early age do have some advantages over those at an older age. The author also gives some suggestions for teaching English learners at different ages to improve the level of second language teaching and the efficiency of language learning.