Significance of Age in Second Language Acquisition

Critical Review

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Age factor in SLA..................................................................................................................3
Reason for learning secondary language................................................................................3
Different ways by which children and elder people learns secondary language....................4
Critical Period Hypothesis......................................................................................................4
Role of age factor in second language acquisition.................................................................5
Influence of age on learners...................................................................................................6
Learning capability of children towards second language.....................................................8
Learning capability of adults towards second language.........................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Second language acquisition refers to the procedure through which individuals develops
their knowledge over the second language. This simply means that the individual could develop
their knowledge as well as understanding over other language that has value in the professional
life. By gaining knowledge on this individuals can easily attain various opportunities available at
marketplace and can also gain benefits over the same in effective manner (Verhagen and
Leseman, 2016). It also provides opportunity to individual to indulge into lots of exposure which
ultimately provides them higher chances of growth in the near future. SLA is highly important
for the individual as well as society because develops creativity and also improves functioning of
brain in effective manner. Age of learner plays an essential role in SLA learning as importance
of SLA might be different for the individuals as per their age group and profession. The present
assignment will critically review on significance of age among learners for Second Language
Learners. This will look at the perspective of different authors on the stated topic in order to
explore that whether children can only learn second language and gain its benefits or it is
beneficial for the adults as well.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Age factor in SLA
Age of individual is considered as an essential factor in Second language acquisition
which states how distinctively an individuals develop their learning on second language on the
basis of their age. It basically states that there is the huge difference between young as well as
old learner that also places influence over the learning capability of the individual towards
learning secondary language.
Reason for learning secondary language
The reason for acquiring second language can be seen for any motive it might be for
going top foreign country for higher studies. Many people often develop second language for the
purpose of acquiring good job of their own choice and higher career growth. In addition to this, it
is also seen that many of the individuals gets attracted towards second language due to their self
interest in it. Mainly second language is commonly learned by children when they enter into the
school. In common terms, it can be said that for children first language is their own mother
tongue which is being used by them from the starting stage of learning whereas, for the same age

group secondary language is English which taught to them from the tutors to them in the school.
This simply shows that children can easily develop their understanding over secondary language
from school time. This ultimately helps them in grooming more quickly.
Different ways by which children and elder people learns secondary language
As per the views presented by Ahlquist, (2015), it has been seen that there numerous of
ways by which an children can groom and learn second language. This includes attending school
session, watching local TV shows or telecasts, listening radio, reading newspapers etc. all of
these were effective methods by which children's can easily develop their knowledge on second
language. On the contrary, while talking adults, it can be said that there are learning programs
which are conducted by professional for the adults in which they gets training about basic
concept about second language and its usage in day to day lifestyle (Monaghan and Rowland,
2017). In this, it is seen that if right medium is adopted by learner or the trainers then it
ultimately helps them out in developing their knowledge on second language in effective
manner. Also, it works as the motivational factors for them and supports them in learning the
same language in quicker manner. On the contrary, it can be said that if these people go for the
non meaningful method that it directly places impact over their learning and does not allows
them to learn in rightful manner. This simply places negative impact over their growth in terms
of learning of second language.
Critical Period Hypothesis
According to Hopartean, (2017), critical period refers to early learning years of
individuals’ life. This period belongs to only those children which are growing in terms of
physical changes. This age of children is very critical and it is easier for them to develop their
learn any second language. It is seen as the age in which individuals constantly grows in terms of
ears, heart, eyes, hands and feet. This is age is very critical as children are completely free and
can easily acquire learning as they have time to learn, perceive it and perform practice on the
same. In context of learning on secondary language this age is perfect for increasing
understanding on secondary language (Moeller and Catalano, 2015). On the other hand, sensitive
period refers to the age group of individual post puberty when in which they are highly sensitive
and owns capability of developing their knowledge on the particular subject or language which
could provide them benefits in effective manner. As per the views expressed by Hopartean,
(2017), it can be said that people belonging to sensitive period of learning are not able to develop