Japanese children's acquisition of English as a second language

This study examines the hypothesis that there is a critical period for second-language acquisition. A number of studies which have supported the hypothesis have focused mainly on comparing children with adults in terms of the acquisition of phonology and syntax. In contrast to those studies, the present study investigates the effects of social and psychological factors with regards to the critical period hypothesis.;The results are consistent with the interpretation of the critical period hypothesis stating that youth is necessary but not sufficient to master a second language. There are remarkable social and psychological factors in strongly affecting children's second-anguage acquisition.;The subjects involved were Japanese women who had children from K to 3rd grade and were temporarily living in the United States. Questionnaires and interviews were used as instruments to analyze the linguistic environment of their children and the social characteristics of this group.