关于年龄对于第二语言学习和教学的影响
年龄与二语习得
论文导读：年龄是影响第二语言(兼指外语)习得效果个体差异的重要因素之一。
但也是长期以来困扰二语习得研究的一个问题。
到了1967年心理语言学家Lenneberg发展了这一观点, 提出了著名的语言学习的关键期假说(critical period hypothesis,或译作临界期假说):自然语言习得只能发生在关键期,即两岁到青春期之前。
关键词：二语习得，年龄，关键期假说1. 引言年龄是影响第二语言(兼指外语)习得效果个体差异的重要因素之一，但也是长期以来困扰二语习得研究的一个问题。
许多心理学家、应用语言学家和教育家用大量的时间从不同的角度,选择不同的对象研究年龄和第二语言习得的关系,但研究的结果并不一致。
论文检测。
尽管如此，年龄研究从未间断过，甚至成为当今二语习得领域的热点之一，原因在于二语习得年龄的研究具有重要的理论和实践意义，它不仅有助于探讨人类大脑认知之谜，更是直接关系到二语教学模式的选择和学习策略的定位。
本文试图综述二语习得年龄研究的主要发现，同时探讨这些发现对目前的外语教学有什么启发。
2. 关键期假说的研究很久以前人们就注意到，童年是学习语言,无论是习得母语还是学习外语的最佳年龄。
这种现象使得美国神经心理学家Penfield 于1959年提出“白板理论”,认为在婴儿出生时大脑皮层的某些区域具有固定的功能,但有一块皮层最后将用于语言和感觉,在早期可以运用这片空白区域进行语言学习,几种语言可以轻易地被同时习得,认为4-8岁是学习外语的最佳起始年龄。
到了1967年心理语言学家Lenneberg发展了这一观点, 提出了著名的语言学习的关键期假说(critical period hypothesis,或译作临界期假说):自然语言习得只能发生在关键期,即两岁到青春期之前。
关键期假说在二语习得领域引发了无数研究和争论，支持和反对的论据都有。
20 世纪 60年代末 70 年代初，这场激烈争论的焦点是围绕儿童学习外语是否比成人存在优势。
浅谈二语习得年龄因素
当学习一个新单词时,他们常回忆与该单词相关的近义词、
反义词等,从而巩固并扩大了词汇量。)同时,成人能较容
易地处理复杂的语言形式和内容,所以对于学习第二语言
来说,已掌握了一定的先决条件。其次,成人具有丰富的
经历,更善于利用语言交际策略,能根据具体的语言环境
关键词:年龄因素;二语习得;外语教学
中图分类号: H319·3文献标识码: A 文章编号: 1671-380X (2011) 05-0172-02
On How the Age Factor Influences Second Language Acquisition
HUHong-zhi
(Liuzhou Teacher’s college, Liuzhou545004, China)
在一定的语言环境下就能达到语音纯正、外语听说水平较
高的效果。
(二)从语法习得方面来分析
年龄因素对二语语法习得的影响,研ቤተ መጻሕፍቲ ባይዱ表明在语法习
得中,成人与儿童需经历相似的阶段。但是,成人在二语
语法习得中具有一定优势,他们习得的效果比儿童要好。
首先,因为儿童偏向直观的、隐性的学习方式,而成人偏
向分析的、显性的学习方式,成人的逻辑、综合分析能力
浅谈二语习得年龄因素
胡红芝
(柳州师专外语系,广西 柳州 545004)
*
摘 要:在二语习得研究领域,年龄因素一直是语言学家们关注的焦点。本文首先介绍了年龄与二语习得关
系研究的现状,然后分析和论述了儿童与成人的二语习得比较研究,并结合学习语言的实际情况阐述了年龄因素
对外语教学实践带来的一些启示。
年龄因素对第二语言习得的影响论文
Age Factor in Second Language Aquisition1. IntroductionNowerdays, with the development of society and technology, our society has become more open. People, with different colors,who come from different countries and areas communicate with each other in various ways and methods. Language, of course, is one of the most important tools in our communication. As we all known, English is an international language in the whole world. Accordingly, in our country, English learning is very popular with not only students, but also the children, adults and even the retired old man. And according to many studies,age is one of the most important individual factors affecting foreign language learning, which is considered as a focus of applied linguistics and psycholinguistics. Almost all parents think that"Don't let their own children lose at the beginning. "In China,all the families believe that it is very important for the students to learn English in the childhood.And many parents even send their children to language schools at an early age in older to get a high score.In recent years,some scholars in China such as Gui Shichun, Wang Chuming, Dai Manchun, Dai Weidong have a heated discussion about the affection of age factors in foreign language teaching and learning. At the same time, the government have also paid more attention on English learning. Nowerdays,many reseachers have studied the factors affecting language learning, such as intelligence, aptitude, personality, motivation, attitudes, earner's preference, learner's beliefs and age of acquisition. But I just want to study the influence of age factor. Is it good enough for parents to let their children learn English at an early age? Do children have absolute advantages over adolescents and adults in second language acquisition? What are the respective advantages and disadvantages of children,adolescents and adults? With the above problems analyzed,this thesis focus on the influence of age factor on the Second Language Acquisition.2. Second Language Acquisition2.1 Definitin of Second Language Acquisition"Second language acquisition"refers to the subconscious or conscious processes by which a language other than mother tongue is learnt in a natural or a tutored or a classroom; it covers the development of phonology,lexis,grammar, pragmatics and other knowledge(Hu Zhuanglin,p.268). How children acquire their native languages and what is the relavance of this to foreign language learning has long been debated. Although evidence for the declining of second language learning ability with age is controversial, a common assumption is that children learn second languageseasily and fluently compared with old learners. This assumption stems from"critical period"(CP) ideas(Lennerberg,1967). It is commonly know that children with regular faculties and given normal circumstances will easily master their native languages. Unfortunately,perfect language mastery is rarely in the process of second language acquisition. One of the most obvious potential explanations for the lack of success of second language learners compared to first language learners is that the acquisition of second language begins at a later age than that of the mother tongue does. Thus, many scholars assume that age itself is a predicator of second language proficiency.A popular belief in this area is that younger learners have certain advantages over older learners in foreign language learning and many linguists and researchers share this belief. They believe that younger children learn second language more easily and quickly than older children (Ellis,2008;Larsen-Freeman,2008). However,some other researchers hold the the opposite point. They believe that younger learners do not show any advantage over older learners in second language learning, and they even can provide some evidence to prove scientifically that the opposite is true, i.e. older learners exhibit some advantages over younger learners (Snow&Hoefnagef-Hohle,1978).About the study on age factors affecting second language acquisition,Carroll(1980) provided neurological basis for critical period hypothesis from aspect of earlier exposure, whose experiment indicates that the earlier exposure to second language,more or less, is of significance to the success of second language acquisition. That is, the early exposure to second language will bring quite different quality to later language learning in both natural and conscious settings.2.2 Current Situation of Second Language AcquisitionMany studies pay much attention to the age factor in second language learning at home and abroad. The relationship between age factor and second language acquisition has become more and more hot and popular.As for second languge acquisition. Penfield and Roberts(1959:130) first introduced the Critical Period. According to Penfield and Roberts, a child's brain is more plastic compared with that of an adult. And in 1967, Lenneberd introduced the Critical Period Hypothesis to second language acquisition, which could account for children's faster and more successful attainment over adults in second language acquisition.The research of age factor in foreign language learning also attracts much attention of the scholars in China.But it seems that many of them are on the opponent side. Professor Gui Shichun(1992:54-56) questioned the popular concept of "the younger, the better". Recently, in Guangdong Province, Professor Dong Y anping(2003:39-47) proposed that it was not necessary to start English teaching programs for young children in kindergartens and Grade 1 of primaryschools. At the same time, a variety of English learning phenomena have sprung up in China:in 2001, the Education Ministry decided that pupils begin English learning from Grade Three in cities and condition-permitting rural areas; in Shanghai all the pupils have been required to learn English from Grade One since 2003; English training courses for kids mushroom all over the country and at the same time, English textbooksand tapesforkids becomebest-sellers. English languagehas turnedintoa secondlanguage inChina.3. Factors Affeting Second Language AcquisitionIn our life and experience, almost all normal children can succeed in their first language acquisition on condition that they get a normal upbring. However, it is quite different in second language learning.Actually, different characteristics of learners will lead to different results in second language learning. And everyone has his own personality. In addition to personality, other factors are also relevant to language learning. These include intelligence, motivation, aptitude, learners 'preferences and learners' belief.3.1 IntelligenceThe level of learners' intelligence have an influence or second language learning. Over the past years, through using some intelligence tests or different methods, and then using the scores measure the intelligence of the learners. Researchers suppose that intelligence may be connected with second language ability. Recently, more and more studies have proved this. However, it is not the only factor. There are many students who are very successful in second language learning without high intelligence scores.3.2 PersonalityThere are many personality characteristics have been considered to be related to second language learning such as extroversion and inhibition. Many believed that extroversion is well suited to second language learning. However, this conclusion does not always get enough support. That is to say, in many studies, many learners who haven't got high scores on measuring extroversion are still successful in the second language learning.In terms of inhibition,it discourages the progress in language learning because the learners' courage of taking risk can be reduced by the inhibition personality. In fact, personality characteristics still conclude others such as empathy, talkativeness, self-esteem, dominance and responsiveness. However, the clear relationship between learners' personality and second language learning hasn't been found out because it is complicated. As an English teacher,we prefer the active and lively students in the class since they have good performance. So this kind of students who can get more attention from the teachers often has more opportunities to practiceand express.3.3 AptitudeAptitude can be considered as a kind of talent which is made up of different kinds of abilities. The followings are some examples:(1) The ability to recognize the meaning of the words in the sentences.(2) The ability to remember new words. This kind of ability is much more concerned with the learners' vocabulary ability.(3) The ability to analyze the grammar of the material. There are many grammatical rules. So the ability of analyzing the grammar can affect the learners' language learning.(4) The ability to translate. Translation is very important in language learning and using. Any students who has a good knowledge of translation can do a better job in reading, speaking and even writing.3.4 MotivationThrough the studies of second language acquisition, the learners' attitude and motivation also plays an important role in learning a second language. And the good and positive attitude and motivation will be more likely to succeed in second language learning than the opposite. Motivation can be studied in two main parts: learners' communicative needs and their attitudes towards the second language community.Therefore, if the learner wants to use the second language efficiently, they must have an abtive attitude and master opportunities to practice. Besides, the personal growth,cultural enrichment and instrumental motivation are all concluded in motivation, which are also concerned with the success of the second language learning.However, the researchers cannot find out how the motivation affects on the learners during their second language learning.3.5 Learners’ PreferenceAs for the learning material and learning methods, every learner has his own preference. Some learners say that they cannot learn something before they have seen it, while others seem to know something as long as they talked it once or twice.When learners show his preference for some materials or topics which we disagree with the learning method, we should encourage the learners to use their available ways to achieve the success rather than stop them.3.6 Learners’ BeliefAlthough not all the language learners may have their individual consciousness of the language learning, all of them have their strong beliefs which influence their learning methods.Therefore, the learners' belief is also an important factor in second language learning.4. Age Factors and Second Language Aquisition4.1 The Affects of Age Factors4.1.1 The Affects of Age Factors on Rate of Second Language AcquisitionOne popular belief about second language acquisition is that the younger, the better. Recently, certain research reports claim to counter this early Critical Period Hypothesis and state that age and language acquisition is inconsistent. Not all younger performs to be superior.Opposite to the Critical Period Hypothesis, Krashen, Long and Scarcella(1979) draw a different conclusion: (1)adults are superior to children in rate of acquisition, and(2)older children learn more rapidly than younger children(Krashen, et al, 1979). This results reflect differences in rate of acquisition which are consistent with the hypothesis. Adults are generally faster than children in early stages of second language acquisition.In1967, J.Asher and S.Price compared the ability of listening comprehension of 8-10-year-old and 14-year-old childrent and college adults. The results show that adults score highest while the 8-year-old children were the lowest of all groups tested.T10-year-old and 14-year-old children were between adults are the 8-year-olds. This study suggests that the adults ard superior to the same conditions as children when they learn a second language.Ervin-Tripp(1974) studied the rate of acquisition of French by 31 English-speaking children aged from four to who learn French nine month in Switzerland(including attendance in French-speaking schools). She reached the conclusion that children performed much better.Burstall et al.(1975) and Ekstrand(1977) researched majority children who learn a foreign language in Britain and Sweden respectively. Burstall et al.make a study about a large number of school students,some of whom began learning French at the age of eight and others who began at the age eleven after three years on condition having learnt French for the same amount of time, the older learners were ahead on three out of four skills tested-listening, reading and writing.The younger learners, however, mastered speaking ability highly.Snow and Hoefnagel-hohle(1978) make a study who learn Dutch in Holland. The subjects were divided into five age groups: ten3-to-5-year-olds, eight6-to-7-year-olds, thirteen8-to-10-year-olders, nine12-to-15-year-olds, and eleven adults. The study indicated that 3-to-5-year-olds scored lowest and the 12-to-15-year-olds showed the most rapid acquisition of all the skills tested.Ekstrand(1978) makes a survey about four groups of Swedish school children, whose ages are 8, 9, 10 and 11 respectively. They had been taught English in 10-minute sessions twice a week after 18 weeks, the groups were tested for pronunciation(a taped imitation task) and comprehension(a taped imitation task) increases almost linearly with age.Ann Fathman made a study in 1982 which examined the relationship between certain aspects of the second language acquisition process and age through an oral production test.It examined about 200 children(aged 6 to 15) from diverse language backgrounds who were learning English as a second language in public schools. The results indicated that the older children performed better in the production of correct morphological and syntactic structures while the younger children performed better in the use of correct English pronunciation.From the following studies, we can conclude that age can affect the rate of second language learning. Adolescents and adults have many advantages in second language acquisitio n like faster speed and strong ability to acquire syntax and morphology while children perform much better in phonology.4.1.2 The Affects of Age Factors on the Process of Second Language AcquisitionFew people make a study of the effects of age on the process of second language acquisition. By far Harley's(1986) investigation of early and late immersion programmes is the most detailed study of the effects of age on the acquisition process. Harley made a comprison between the two groups' acquisition of French verb phrase. For example, the two groups generally made similar types of errors and both groups prefer the relatively unmarked French verb forms to the marked forms. There were only a few differences reflected variations in the second language input to which the learners were exposed.Bailey et al.(1974) investigated the order in which adults acquired the same set of grammatical morphemes studied by Dulay and Burt who found an order similar to that found in the morpheme studies of children. Fathman(1975) found that the order of acquisition remained constant compared with her sample of two hundred children aged from 6 to 15 years.Cazden et al.(1975) found that child, adolescent, and adult learners went through the same stages. Thus, learners appear to process linguistic data in the same way, no matter how old they are.According to their study, the process did not remain constant for children who were in different ages as for order of acquisition. Despite of differences of age and learning environments, there seemed to be a consistency in the order. These findings also support the ideas of Dulay and Burt(1973) and Madden, Bailey, and Krashen(1974), which suggest that there appeared to be similar in terms of acquisition of structures for all second language learners.4.1.3The Affects of Age Factors on Learners’ Second Language AchievementMany researchers have compared older and younger children and concluded that older children are faster learners of syntax and morphology. Then comes the question, whether learners who begin learning can reach higher levels of second language ability than those who start as adolescents or adults. To answer this question,some scholars did some researches.Burstal et al.(1974), through comprison, found the result that those who started learning French in school at either age 8 or 11when reached age 16. There was only one test result in favor of the early learners, that is to say, only listening comprehension better.In another study, Dunkel&Pillet(1962), through the comprison of American Schook children who had begun learning French at grade 3 and students of the same age who had had only one year of French at the secondary level, found that the former did not do as well as the latter in terms of the standardized group test of formal grammar in Franch.Oller&Nagato(1974) found the same results in school system in Japan. Students learn English as a second language from grades 1-6did not do better than students who began learning English in grade 7 when they attend test in the grade 11.Harley(1986) also make a research which focused on learners' acquisition of the French verb system. She compared early and late immersion students after both had received1,000hours of instruction. Neither group had mastered the verb system, but the older students can master well. However, the early immersion group showed higher levels of attainment than the late.The results from these reflect that children's level of attainment is greater than that of adolescents/adults. As Stern has emphasized, early age school instruction does not in itself guarantee success(Stern, 1976; Stern&Weinrib, 1977; Stern, 1982).4.2 Respective Advantages and Disadvantages among Different AgesWhen children, adolescents and adults learn a second language, they have neurological(Lenneberg, 1967), cognitive(Talor, 1974: 33) and social-psychological(Brown, H.D. 1987: 51; Talor, 1974) differences. There are many factors determining the differences between children and adults in second language learning such as learning learning environment, intelligence and difficulty in comparative researches and experiments, but age factor is the most influenced one. Actually, children, adolescents and adults have their own advantages and disadvantages in second language learning. The most practical way is to study the effects that age differences bring to language learning and the advantages and disadvantages that each each language learner at different age has in learning a foreign language.4.2.1 ChidhoodChildren's brains are flexible and may have an advantage to accept new knowledge in the second language learning. Therefore, it is easy for them to acquire pronunciation in this period. And a second language can be left a deep impression on the brains in this period. So this is very useful for children's further learning. For instance, some children's toys which can speak some English and Chinese words for them, and gradually, we can find those two years child speak the same words correctly. However, during this period, the parents just want to entertain the children. But they will remember those even when they grow up. At the same time, children havepoor-term and systematic memory, and usually confuse native and foreign languages or native culture and foreign culture, possessing poor ability of abstract thinking. Therefore, it is good for children to learn foreign languages in such bilingual social environment or better teaching facilities.Besides, our children don't have ability to judge what is right or what is wrong. Children generally follow others' words and actions. So it is not surprise to find that many children share the same behavior of siphoning off the fingers. Therefore, teachers and parents pay attention to children's environment because children can behave differently in different environments. So the teachers and parents should give proper guide in time when children make some mistakes. Some studies state that non-English-speaking have English lessons and instruction. But the length of the program is inconsistent with the acquisition speed. One of the most important factor is the influence of mother tongue. Therefore, it is not the best for children to learn a second language early.4.2.2 AdolescentsAdolescents have several advantages. They have a high cognitive maturity and a high ability of imitation and memory. Adolescents can also make the most of communicative strategies and understand language and culture very well, which make language input enriched. And they like joining the communication activities. Adolescents can grasp the language regulations and make full use of them in their sentences to express their deeper thoughts. Besides, they can also correct the errors in sentences. All these are obvious advantages for the adolescents in second language learning. For instance, if we ask adolescent students to do a role-play after learning a dialogue, most students can finish the task and some good students can even play it lively. While, if we ask children to do the same case, the children can hardly finish it. That is to say, only adults can achieve such advantages. And as we all known, the adolescents is a period of full of energy and imagination, thus the adolescents must have strong self-control ability and stick to their aims. Besides, they always consider themselves as adults. Therefore, they hate to be ignored and hope to win respect like adults, which is difficult for teacher to deal with. This why a successful teacher always treat some students as a adult while doing as a child.At the same time,adolescents have many courses in school. Nowadays,more adolescents learnt more than one kind of foreign language. They have to deal with many subjects. Many students even busy on the weekend.It seems that they have no time to relax. They always feel nervous. This make the students feel much burden. Thus, it is crucial for teachers and parents to give the adolescents proper guide when they grow the sense of giving up learni ng.4.2.3 AdulthoodAs we all known, adults mental is mature. They always have clear goals and strongmotivation to learn a second language. When they decide to learn a language, they will devote much energy to learning.Adults can grasp the complicated grammar and reading task better than adolescents and children. Therefore, they can understand the second language deeply. All those features lead to adults' learning well. At the same time, the following three kind of adults also have an advantage over adolescents and child.(1) Some adults work under an International environment, and this atmosphere may provide them more opportunities to practice foreign languages.(2) Some adults have a long-term or short-term plan to go abroad for further education or working. This plan may make them aware of strengthening their foreign language. And in order to realize this dream, they have to pay more energy and attention to foreign language learning. Therefore, they can promote their foreign language quickly.(3) Some students still have a strong conscious of learning. Thus they will further the quality of their already language. And they'll grasp every opportunity to improve their foreign language.Adults also have some disadvantages. For example, most adults have already worked after graduation,join in the social activities and care about the family day and night. Besides, many adults' memory isn't as good as before with the growth of age. Therefore, it is difficult for adults to master foreign language well. And the adults only practice English in the spare time such as when they are at home. They even can't focus their intention on practice if they have a baby. Thus, most adults try their best to make up those disadvantages.5. ConclusionIt is clear that age is an important factor in second language acquisition. It is not nessessary for students to learn a second language early. Y ounger learners are not necessarily better learners. Children, adolescents and adults have their own characteristics in second language learning. Children can easily grasp the pronunciation. Adolescents can understand language and culture better.It is good for second language learning. Adults can master the complicated grammar and language regularities. Thus, teachers and parents should employ different strategies in terms of learners of different ages.Bibliography[1] 林崇德.英语教学心理学[M]. 北京教育出版社, 2001,3[2] 刘建华.中学英语创新教法[M]. 学苑出版社, 1999,10[3] 束定芬、庄智象. 现代外语教学——理论、实践与方法[J].东北师大学报, 2006 (2)[4] 王立菲. 现代外语教学论[M]. 上海教育出版社, 2002,1[5] 王蔷. 英语教学法教程[M]. 高等教育出版社, 2005,4[6] 薛中梁. 谈英语课堂教学[M]. 湖北教育出版社, 2003,3[7] Liu Yongfa, Liu Xuan'en.The Practical Body Language[M]. Hua Wen Press, 1997,2[8] Wu Zongjie.Readings for Applied Linguistics and Language Teaching[J].Zhejiang Teachers' University,1998(3)。
年龄与个性对二语习得的影响
区 别进行研 究 后 � 提 出 了 他的 观 点 � ( 语 言学 习 的 早 1) 期� 成人在字 � 句 的 发展 进 程 方面 要 比 孩 子快 些 � 因为 成 人有形象 思维 和 抽象 思 维 的能 力 � 有 能 力对 抽 象 的 语 言规则进行 清楚的 归纳 总结 � ( 语 言学 习 的早 期 � 2) 年 龄大的孩 子比 年 龄小 的 孩 子效 果 要 好 � 因为 孩 子 的 形 象思维能 力 直 到 1 2 岁 才 发展 成 熟 � 虽 然在 这 一 方 面 年龄大的 孩子 仍 比成 人 相 对弱 些 � 但 他 们显 然 是 优 于 年龄小的孩 子 �( ) 在语言 的长 期学 习过 程 中 � 孩子 3 最 终在掌握 二语 的 熟练 程 度 方面 要 优 于 成人 � 且年龄 小 的孩子优 于年 龄 大的 孩 子 � 学习 者 如 在 孩提 时 期 就 在 自然言状 态下 学 习语 言 � 那 么最 终 能 比 成人 二 语 学 习 者更好地掌 握二语 � 然而还是 很有必要 区别 一下 年龄 在二 语习 得进 程 及 成功率方面 的不同 � 有资 料表 明年 龄不 会改 变语 言 习 得的进程 � 但 与 二语 习 得 的效 率 与 成 功有 关 � 学 习 者 的年龄不管 多大 � 他 们以 相同 的途径 领会 掌 握语 言 � 提 及效率 � 显然年 龄大 的学 习者 要好得 多 � 他 们会 达 到 更 熟练的程 度 � 涉 及语 音 � 普 遍认 为 孩 子 要更 胜 一 筹 � 关 于成功问题 � 一 般认 为接 触二 语的时 间越 长 � 就越能 达 到母语的熟 练程度 � 经过 调查 � ( ) � B � � � � a l l 1 9 7 5 O a � ( 提出二语学 习者年 龄对 学习 的影 响要 大于 学 � a 1 9 7 6) 习 时间的长 短对 学 习的 影 响 � 且语 音 发 展 的成 功 与 否 与 年龄密切 相关 �E ( 提出 如 将二 语 习得 的 进 l l i � 1 9 8 5) 程� 效率 � 成功分开 考虑 � 将年龄对 语音 � 词汇 � 语 法的不 同 影响考虑 进去 � 且 不把 二 语 习得 的 起 始 年龄 与 学 习 二 语的年限混 在一起考虑的 话 � 他认为 � ( ) 二语 习得的 1 起 始年龄对 学习 的 进程 没 有 影响 � 虽 然 习 得的 顺 序 可 能 会有所不同 � 但 这并不是年 龄导致的结 果 � ( ) 二语习 2
语言习得中的年龄因素
语言习得中的年龄因素近年来，人们对第二语言的学习日益重视。
年龄对第二语言习得的影响，是二语习得领域的焦点话题之一。
也可以说，年龄是影响第二语言习得的最明显、最直接的非智力因素之一。
第二语言习得是指“在自然的或指导的情况下通过有意识学习或无意识吸收掌握母语以外的一门语言的过程”。
在这里所涉及到的，主要是在教学情境下的第二语言习得。
年龄是影响第二语言习得效果的个体差异重要因素之一。
年龄与语言学习之间的关系是一个经久不衰的研究课题。
多年来，年龄在第二语言学习中所起的作用一直是语言学界一个争论不休的话题。
心理学家、应用语言学家和教育家十分关注年龄对第二语言习得的影响，他们用大量的时间从不同的角度，选择不同的对象研究年龄和第二语言习得的关系，但得出的结论存在差异，有时甚至大相径庭，相互矛盾。
一、年龄因素影响语言习得的主要表现1、语音习得在语音方面，儿童比成年人更有可能获得接近母语水平的第二语言。
如果有足够的语言接触，大多数儿童在二语习得中都可以习得地道的口音，有可能达到语音纯正。
而成年人经过多年的正规学习，多数可以流利地讲外语，但只有极少数人能达到语音纯正。
也就是说年龄越大，相对而言获得完全地道的口音的可能性越小。
2、语法习得第二语言语法习得的顺序不受年龄制约，但语法习得的速度及达到的水平受到年龄因素的影响。
3、语言能力与潜力儿童具有更高的语言潜力，与成人相比更有可能达到更高的水平和层次。
在学习速度问题上，成人学习者学习的最初阶段具有优势，尤其在语法方面。
但他们最后可能会被儿童超过。
儿童在自然的语言环境中学习更快，而在正规的外语课堂上学习速度较成年人缓慢。
二、语言习得关键期假说理论1、关键期假说概述20世纪50年代，著名神经心理学家Penfield andRoberts(1959)根据生物学的关键期理论得出结论：儿童的语言习得能力与大脑的发育有关。
60年代，心理语言学家Lenneberg(1967)发展了这一观点，提出了著名的关键期假说。
通过“年龄效应”看二语习得的最佳年龄
通过“年龄效应”看二语习得的最佳年龄1. 引言1.1 背景介绍二语习得是指一个人在学习第二语言时获得的能力和知识。
在全球化的今天，学习第二语言变得越来越重要。
人们学习第二语言的年龄从儿童到成年人不等，而不同年龄阶段对二语习得有着不同的影响。
年龄效应因此成为了二语习得研究中的一个重要话题。
了解不同年龄阶段的二语习得特点，可以帮助我们更好地制定教学策略，促进学习者的二语习得进程。
年龄效应理论认为，学习第二语言的最佳年龄是在儿童时期。
因为儿童学习语言的能力与成人相比具有天生的优势，他们更容易模仿和吸收新的语言知识。
关于最佳学习年龄的理论存在争议。
有些研究认为青少年或成年人同样可以通过系统学习获得很好的二语习得效果。
在接下来的正文中，我们将深入探讨二语习得的定义、年龄效应理论、不同年龄阶段的二语习得特点以及最佳年龄理论的争议。
我们将结合研究案例分析，更全面地了解不同年龄阶段对二语习得的影响。
通过这些研究，我们可以更好地总结结论，对教学提出启示，并展望未来研究的发展方向。
.1.2 研究目的研究目的是探讨通过"年龄效应"来看二语习得的最佳年龄。
随着二语习得研究的深入，人们对不同年龄段学习第二语言的效果产生了浓厚的兴趣。
我们希望通过这篇文章，深入探讨二语习得的定义及其特点，了解年龄效应理论在二语习得中的作用，分析不同年龄阶段的二语习得特点，并对最佳年龄理论争议展开探讨。
我们计划通过研究案例分析来深入了解不同年龄段学习第二语言的效果，为教学实践提供启示。
通过本文的分析，我们希望能够为教育工作者和研究者提供参考，促进二语习得领域的发展，为未来的研究工作提供新的思路和方向。
2. 正文2.1 二语习得的定义二语习得是指一个人在学会自己的母语之后，再学习一门其他语言的过程。
二语习得相比于母语习得，其过程会受到很多因素的影响，比如年龄、学习环境、语言输入等。
在二语习得中，学习者不再是完全空白的状态，而是已经有了母语作为参照，因此会影响到他们学习第二语言的方式和速度。
年龄和情感因素对二语习得影响论文
年龄和情感因素对二语习得的影响摘要：年龄是影响二语习得的一个重要因素，二语习得者在不同年龄阶段学习二语有不同的优势。
情感因素在第二语言习得中起着过滤器的作用，本文基于儿童与成人之间第二语言学习差别，揭示了年龄研究和情感因素对我们所关注的外语教学的启发。
关键词：二语习得；年龄因素；情感因素；外语教学中图分类号：h31 文献标识码：a文章编号：1009-0118（2012）07-0286-02一、前言第二语言习得理论是关于母语习得之后任何其他语言的学习规律的理论。
英语作为一门外语,随着国外二语习得理论的不断发展及其对语言教学的影响，我们在教学实践中非常注重应用二语习得理论来解决问题。
外语教学的最终目的是学习者能用外语成功交流，而不是在各种考试中获得高分，目前我国外语学习的状况不尽如人意，教师们和学习者都耗费了大量的时间和精力，但是收效甚微。
由于影响第二语言习得的因素很多,本文着重分析年龄和情感对第二语言习得的影响，联系实际教学中出现的一些问题来进行反思。
基于对二语习得年龄因素和情感因素的探讨，论述如何探索出一条符合中国国情的外语教学道路来提高外语学习效率,以适应信息时代对外语学习者的要求。
二语习得通常指母语习得之后的任何其他语言学习，二十世纪60年代末70年代初，第二语言习得研究作为一门独立学科，对学习者的第二语言特征及其发展变化、学习者学习第二外语时所具有的共同特征和个别差异进行描写，并分析影响二语习得的内、外部因素。
在学习第二外语的时候,学习者不可避免地受到内在和外在因素的影响，母语、年龄、语言环境和个人的生理和心理特征等都是影响二语习得的因素，本文着重就年龄因素和情感因素进行探讨，并运用它解决我们在日常教学中碰到的实际问题。
二、年龄因素（一）不同年龄的语言学习者有不同的优势1、儿童在二语习得中的优势在自然语言环境里，儿童学母语既快而容易，即使学外语，似乎也比成人容易许多，儿童学习语言既快又好，靠的是与生俱来的普遍语法。
年龄与第二语言习得
年龄与第二语言习得第二语言习得是指一个人在掌握母语之后，学习一种新的语言的过程。
年龄是一个重要的因素，影响着一个人学习第二语言的能力。
在过去的研究中，年龄被认为是一个决定性的因素，影响着第二语言习得的成果。
然而，近年来的研究表明，尽管年龄确实会对第二语言习得产生一些影响，但并非完全决定性的因素。
本文将探讨之间的关系，并讨论不同年龄段的人在习得第二语言方面的优势和挑战。
首先，幼儿期被认为是最佳的第二语言习得时期。
在幼儿期，大脑处于发育的高峰时期，语言的习得能力较强。
研究表明，幼儿在学习第二语言时更具有听觉和发音的优势，他们能够轻松地模仿和掌握新的语音和语调。
此外，幼儿在语言习得过程中更加自然，不会受到母语的干扰，更容易形成正确的语言结构和习惯用法。
因此，幼儿在学习第二语言方面往往进展迅速，并且能够获得更地道的语言表达。
然而，成年人也具有他们自己的优势和挑战。
成年人在学习第二语言时更有条理和系统，能够更好地利用已有的语言知识和学习策略。
他们有丰富的生活经验和学习经验，可以将新的语言知识与已有的知识联系起来，提高学习效果。
此外，成年人在语言学习方面更有意识和自我评估的能力，能够更有效地规划和调整学习策略。
然而，成年人的习得过程也面临着一些挑战。
比如，成年人可能受到母语的干扰，会在语音、语法和词汇等方面存在一定的偏差。
此外，成年人在语言习得方面需要更多的时间和精力，需要具备更强的毅力和耐心。
除了幼儿期和成年期，青少年也是一个重要的第二语言习得时期。
在青少年期，大脑依然处于发育的阶段，语言习得能力也相对较强。
青少年在学习第二语言时，可以充分利用他们的认知和分析能力，能够更深入地理解语言规则和结构。
同时，青少年也拥有更强的社交意识和交际能力，能够更好地参与语言互动和实践，提高语言运用的流利度和综合能力。
然而，青少年在习得第二语言方面也面临一些挑战。
他们可能会受到学校课业和社交活动的压力影响，导致学习时间和精力的分散。
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语言学习者的年龄因素与第二语言习得人的大脑发育程度，认知能力水平及情感因素等的不同是年龄影响第二语言习得的三组主要原因。
年龄因素与二语习得，即语音习得、语法习得、词法、名法习得以及习得者会话熟练程度有着密切的关系。
研究年龄对第二语言习得的影响，在第二语言教学中具有一定的指导意义。
多数人认为：在第二语言习得过程中，年龄小的人比年龄大的人学得好；儿童比成年人学得好。
那么，年龄小的人总比年龄大的人学得好吗？在青春期后才开始第二语言学习的人（包括成年人）能否获得该语言的母语习说者的语言能力?通过对大量的有关年龄因素如何影响“第二语言习得”的资料的辩证分析，就语音和语法方面而言，年龄小的学习者具有优势，但在读写和语法方面成年人却占有优势。
因此，我们不难得出结论：年龄小的人并非总是比年龄大的人学得好。
下面我们将论述一下年龄因素影响第二语言习得的主要依据１﹒大脑发育对第二语言习得的影响和语言习得关键期假说及其理论基础。
儿童、青少年与成年人在大脑发育方面的差异不外乎是大脑发育的成熟程度。
研究表明，人的大脑两侧随着发育的逐渐成熟分别被赋予”不同的功能“——这便是脑半球侧化现象。
人类语言智力的、逻辑的、分析的功能逐步被侧化到左半球，而情感的社会功能则渐渐被侧化到右半球。
这也是伦尼伯格证实关键期假说的生理基础所在。
在语言习得过程中，有一个关键期，在这一关键期内，大脑灵活性强，语言学习可以自然发生，而且很容易；一旦过了这段时期，想要成功地学会一门语言是不可能的。
这就是备受语言学界关注的“关键期假说”。
按照关键期假说，人的一生中有一段时期（出生至１２岁）可以自然地、毫不费力地习得语言。
虽然对“关键期假说”理论至今仍争论不休，因此对年龄因素如何影响语言习得至今无法达成共识。
但是大多数的研究者认为：在外语习得过程中，年龄小的比年龄大的学得好，儿童比成人学的好，低龄儿童比大龄儿童学得好。
第二语言习得者的起始年龄对语音的准确性起到了决定性作用。
错过了最佳的学习语音的年龄段，以后的语音学习很可能费时费力、不易习得标准的语音。
因此，仅就语音而言，第二语言开始学习的时间越早越好。
2. 除了关键期假说外，提到年龄对第二语言习得的影响，还有一种敏感期假说。
敏感期假说是1978年Oyama以意大利男性移民为研究对象，进行了学习者话语能力和对目的与理解能力的测试，得出结果而提出来的。
研究结果显示，被试的这些能力与他们到达美国时的年龄有关系，6-10岁期间到达美国的学习者与英语本土控制组成绩类似，11-15岁和16岁以上组的成绩与本土控制组的成绩显著不同。
11岁以上的学习者在语音与理解力方面的得分都降低了，换句话说他们的英语越来越不地道了，这种不地道不是一下子就产生的，而是逐渐下降形成的。
敏感期假说指的是对于第二语言习得来说，并不是过了某一个时期第二语言习得就变得突然或者绝对不可能了，其实这种第二语言成绩上高低的变化在年龄上来说是一个逐渐变化的过程。
关键期假说和敏感期假说比较类似，它们都认为无论学习第一语言还是第二语言都有一个“临界期”，语言的学习能力均受机体“成熟程度”的影响，不同年龄的人语言学习成绩是不同的。
它们都重点研究年龄因素对活的第二语言的语音、词汇、句法等发面的影响作用，均认为开始学习的年龄影响第二语言语音的正确感知。
例如在学习初期，儿童比成年人学习第二语言语音速度更快、发音更准确。
但它们之间也有区别。
前者从神经生理角度进行解释，认为12岁以后大脑完成侧化，语言功能完全移至左半球，所以青春期到来后语言的的发展已经结束；后者认为，虽然第二语言的学习受机体“成熟程度”的影响，但是语言的活动与年龄的关系显然不是要么全有要么全无的。
不论学习效率是由于年龄的增长而减退还是由于功能减退，学习者都必须借助其他的能力。
其效率与成熟的关系不是十分紧密。
前者涉及“年龄限制”的观点是绝对的，认为理论上讲第一语言的获得是不可能超过关键期的，而后者指的“年龄限制”不是绝对的，认为成年人获得一门外语是可能的，只是不可能达到本族语者的水平。
前者认为语言的获得存在一个关键期，认为大约从12岁即青春期开始，第二语言的语音学习能力明显下降，而4-12岁的孩子此能力没有明显下降；后者认为第二语言习得中不仅存在一个敏感期，而且不同语言领域存在几个敏感期，获得第二语言语音的能力在6岁之前就已经开始下降。
3. 情感因素对第二语言习得的影响。
情感因素包括自信、焦虑、抑制、内倾、外倾等。
人是有情感的动物，任何一种情感都与第二语言习得相关联。
随着年龄的增长，人的情感越丰富，在第二语言习得中的情感因素影响越大。
曾有调查发现，对待第二语言学习的态度会随着年龄的增长而呈消极发展的趋势；年龄越小的习得者越能在学习中保持积极的态度，因为他们要在第二语言习得及学习的同时去认知世界。
此外,对待目标语社团就人们的态度而言,年龄较大的习得者比起年龄较小者复杂得多。
对目标语持积极态度,会促进对第二语言的学习。
动机因人而异,尤其是在年龄这一纵线上。
就内在动机而言,儿童对第二语言的学习兴趣会如他们认识新事物的兴趣一样。
据此可推断出，青春期之前大脑的可塑性使得儿童、青少年更容易习得第二语言。
然而，在适当的条件下，在青春期后开始学习第二语言者（包括成年人）可以获得和母语习说者相同的语言水平。
4. 认知能力的发展对第二语言习得也有一定的影响，就看这种影响是正面的还是负面的。
儿童的认知水平还处于发展自我中心阶段，在习得语言时，很少受到情感因素的影响，有时甚至意识不到自己是在无意识的学习语言,只要能表达出意思就满足，而且他们的大脑没有固定化，短时记忆强，接受新事物快。
这样，就更容易学到地道的发音和语调了。
同时,儿童在11岁前后,其感性认知开始由具体思维向抽象思维转变,其认知能力的发展与语言能力的发展同步进行,相互促进,相互提高。
而成年人的逻辑、分析综合能力在第二语言习得过程中占支配地位，利用这一优势,成年人能容易概括和掌握第二语言的内在规律,并能利用这些规律来提高学习速度。
因此,在掌握语言知识和应用语言知识的准确性与逻辑性方面,成年人占有明显的优势,例如在语法方面的习得是儿童所不及的。
但成年人却由于认知能力与语言的发展相分离，思维能力与语言能力相分离，就造成了语言习得中某些方面的困难（如语音）。
5.语言磨蚀是指个人或语言社团的某种语言或语言某一部分退化和丧失的现象。
Van Els 对磨蚀的语言和环境有四种分类，其中的第三种：在母语环境中的外语磨蚀，也就是外语学习者在接受外语教学后由于长时间没有使用而产生的外语能力的丧失或退化的现象。
年龄对外语磨蚀的作用结果主要集中在两个方面：成人与儿童的对比和儿童间的对比。
Hansen（1980）发现成年人与儿童的外语磨蚀存在差异。
她曾对两个学龄前的美国儿童进行过纵深研究。
这两名被试者曾三次随父母在印度逗留，学过北印度-乌尔都语。
每次在印度，当地的巴基斯坦儿童和印度儿童均认为被试者的外语水平与他们相差无几。
与之相比，被试者母亲的外语水平却要差很多。
每次回国后几个月，被试者的外语却几乎完全磨蚀。
20 年后，再对被试者和他们的母亲进行调查时，被试者的母亲仍能理解大多数北印度-乌尔都语，而被试者一个单词也想不起来。
对于儿童外语磨蚀中年龄的作用, Hansen ,Cohen , Hansen2St rain , Kaufman , Koike 和Yukawa 曾作过研究,所得的结论基本相似:年幼的比年长的外语磨蚀的速度快。
此外,Olshtain 的调查发现:5～7 岁儿童外语磨蚀的速度比8～14 岁的快。
Yoshida 等的断面调查结果显示年幼的一组的出错率明显高于年长的一组。
因此，从国外的研究结果可以看出：从年龄对外语磨蚀影响的角度来看，外语学习并非越小越好，而至少应该是9 岁以后。
对成年的第二语言习得者而言，应该充分发挥自己认知能力强的优势，进行有意识的学习，在学习过程中及时的总结和归纳，都会有利于第二语言的习得；同时，对于第二语言与母语之间的差异，应该保持理解的心态，怀着求同存异的态度，逐渐的适应这种差异，这样可以使自己更好的融入第二语言的学习中。
就学习速率而言,有研究表明,假如学习时间一样多,年龄大的学习者比年龄小的学习者学习效率更高。
然而许多研究表明:成年人的速度优势是十分短暂的，青少年应该是学习速率最快的时期。
对于成年的学习者，在前期学习中速率比儿童要快；但是随着年龄的增长，成年人的二语习得能力会减弱，所以成年的学习者应该尽早学习第二语言。
6.普遍语法Chomsky 在80 年代提出的“原则和参数理论”指出，语言习得机制中的普遍语法是由“原则”和“参数”构成。
“原则”是指使用于任何语言的高度抽象的语法构成，某一具体的语言可能并不具有某些原则，但是没有任何语言违反这些原则。
“参数”则反映了语言与语言之间的差异，参数有两个或两个以上的“值”，不同语言之间的差异体现为不同的参数值。
语言中的原则反映人类语言的普遍性，是人类的生理天赋，不必通过学习而存在于大脑中。
参数值则与具体语言相联系，不同的语言会有不同的参数值。
人类“先天”地了解语言的原则以及与这些原则相联系的参数，然后通过接触和学习特定的语言来确定该语言的参数值，并学习和掌握具体的语言词汇。
因此，从本质上说，语言不是靠“学习”获得的，只要语言输入中有足够的“正面证据”,每一个正常的人都能习得母语。
人们感兴趣的另一个问题是参数场的初始状态。
这里存在两种可能：一种可能性是儿童大脑中最初不存在具体的参数值，参数值是通过接触语言后而逐渐确定、逐渐建立起来的；另一种可能性是最初大脑中的参数场是一种缺省状态，即由某种参数值构成。
如果儿童接触到的语言材料与缺省状态下的参数值一致，该参数值就被保留下来，否则就逐渐转向新的参数值。
Chomsky 的理论是针对母语习得的，那么这一模型是否也可以用来解释第二语言习得呢？因此，第二语言习得的一个重要研究领域，或者说需要作出回答的一个重要问题是：第二语言习得是否涉及普遍语法？对此可以作出以下三种假设：1.第二语言习得不涉及普遍语法，第二语言语法的获得可能是依赖人脑中的其它机制。
2.第二语言习得直接利用普遍语法，它的习得方式与母语习得方式相同。
3.第二语言习得简介利用普遍语法，学习者通过他们已经掌握的母语知识间接地利用普遍语法，以母语的参数场为起点，逐渐转向第二语言的参数场，语言的普遍原则也是通过母语对他们产生影响的。
我们基本可以根据研究者们不同的一件把关于年龄对第二语言习得影响的研究分为不同的几个派别。
一派认为儿童学习者比成人学习者有优势，成人学习者不可能习得接近母语水平的第二语言；一派认为儿童学习者和成人学习者各有优势；第三派认为成人学习者不比儿童学习者差，他们完全有能力习得接近母语水平的第二语言。