Age And Second Language Acquisition

2367 WordsNov 17, 201510 Pages
16509658 Age and Second Language Acquisition With the rise of globalisation, English has become the Lingua Franca as a tool to communicate among people from different countries in numerous situations and areas (Nikolov & Djigunovic, 2006, p.234). Therefore, people in various countries are closely connected economically, politically and culturally and many people are required to acquire a foreign language. As a result, there have been many researches and evidence on whether age has a great impact on second language acquisition. This essay will illustrate neurological, phonological and affective factors and the Critical Period Hypothesis as evidence that children have advantages in second language acquisition. In contrast, cognitive theories will be stated to illustrate how adult learners have advantages in many second learning strategies (Comrie & Corbett, 2009, p.12). Thirdly, it will suggest two second language acquisition methods inspired by children?s first language learning, which are Total physical Response and Natural Approach, because despite their limitations, they contain useful lessons from children?s first language acquisition such as raising interest and lowering learners? stress. Finally, this essay will assert that considering neurological, phonological and affective evidence and witnessing children?s natural and effortless language acquisition, overall children surpass adults in second language acquisition. Therefore, it is wise to elect useful factors from
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