Critical period hypothesis 關鍵期假說 (关键期假说)

guānjiàn qī jiǎshuō · from English

What is the critical period hypothesis?

The critical period hypothesis claims there is a biological window, roughly before puberty, after which native-like language acquisition becomes much harder.

Eric Lenneberg proposed it for first-language acquisition in 1967, and it was later applied to second languages. Evidence is strongest for accent; adults often learn grammar and vocabulary faster than children at first. The debate continues, but age is clearly not a wall for reaching high proficiency.

Examples

Adult learners who reach C2 but keep an accent; children of immigrants becoming native-like in the new language

Kungfucius says: Children have better accents. Adults have better excuses. Both can learn.