Age has often been considered a major, inverse factor for success in learning a second or foreign language. However, researchers have committed three types of errors in making this claim: (1) misinterpretation, (2) misattribution, and (3) misemphasis.

 

1. "Age does influence language learning, but primarily because it is associated with social, psychological, educational, and other factors that can affect L2 proficiency, not because of any critical period that limits the possibility of language learning by adults” (p. 28).
2. Foreign language teaching in the early grades “will be able to cover only half as much material in a year as the middle school course, which in turn will progress much more slowly than the secondary or university course” (p. 28).
3. In the early grades, “L1 instruction is more important than L2 for ultimate literacy and academic achievement in the L2” (p. 29).
4. “Children in late-exit bilingual programs do better than those in early-exit programs” (p. 29).
5. “Children who arrive as immigrants in U.S. schools in later grades show better academic performance than those who start in kindergarten” (p. 29).
6. “Children who start learning English after the early elementary years, even as late as during high school, can become nativelike speakers” (p. 29) with highly motivating, well-structured learning environments.

Source:

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Adapted with permission from:                                                                                             

Teemant, A. & Pinnegar, S. (2007). Understanding Langauge Acquisition Instructional Guide. Brigham Young University-Public School Partnership.