Age Effects in Second Language Learning

Christine Dimroth's essay, entitled "Perspectives on second language acquisition at different ages" in Second Language Acquisition and the Younger Learner discusses the affect of age on the rate of second language acquisition in children. In her "Maturational Approaches" section, Dimroth discusses neurobiological development and the ability to absorb grammar and syntax in new language acquisition (2008).

The Maturational Approach suggests that age effects in second language acquisition work together with biological maturation and therefore, are linked to the growth in language capacity as the child matures. The small "window" for reaching native fluency of a second language closes after the brain matures. While this signifies that children can no longer speak a second language at a level that makes native speakers unable to find flaws, children are still capable of learning the language to a very successful proficiency level. However, these critical age periods vary across studies (Dimroth, 2008).

According to the Usage-Based Approach, advocates of this perspective say that language rules are constructed through constant manipulation and use of that particular language. Under this theory, children learning a second language are usually unable to master the language at a native level because their systems are already developed and constructed for their first language. Interference therefore creates a barrier for learning a second language to the fullest extent (Dimroth, 2008).

These two perspectives therefore support my opinion that learning a second language before the critical period ends allows children the opportunity to reach native-fluency.