二语习得及年龄因素

摘要

在二语习得中，年龄是至关重要的一个因素。本文旨在提出一些与二语习得相关的重要理论，以及根据这些理论对不同年龄层学习二外的读者提出不同的教学策略。希望可以让他们对二语习得有更多的了解以及能够更好地掌握二外。

关键词：二语习得；年龄；教学策略

Abstract

Age is one of the most vital factors of second language acquisition. First, the article aims to put forward some important theories about second language acquisition and then give different teaching strategies to the people at different age who want to learn a second language. It will make them know more about second language and have a good mand of it.

Key words: second language acquisition; age; teaching strategies

Contents

摘要1

1.Second language acquisition and age factor2

1.1 Introduction2

2.The relevant theories of the second language acquisition3

2.1 Critical period hypothesis3

3.The current study in the second language acquisition3

4.The characteristic of younger children4

4.1 From the point of critical period hypothesis4

4.1.1The accurate pronunciation4

4.1.2The higher level4

4.2 From the point of foreign language attrition5

5.The characteristic of adult5

5.1From the point of cognition5

5.2From the point of learning rate6

5.3From the point of learning motivation6

6.The conclusion and suggestion7

Bibliography7

1.Second language acquisition and age factor

1.1 Introduction

There are many factors that have an influence in the second language acquisition, while the age is regarded as the most important factor of influencing the effect in different individual. The researches of the second language acquisition are different. Even there exist some contradictory results. Some scholars consider that the children are the best ones who can learn second language well. Because when the children immigrate to abroad, they can learn and accept the second language fast and easier, while the adults can’t reach the stage through hard working. Other scholars hold the belief that the adults are best learners except in pronunciation.

Whether there is a consistent conclusion, it is accepted widely that the difference exists in different age. So what we should do is to find the identical and different part of

different age and then choose the best age. It will help us confirm the reason and discover the appropriate approach to learn the second language easier, which will boost the process.

2.The relevant theories of the second language acquisition

2.1 Critical period hypothesis

Critical period hypothesis, that is to say there is a fixed period when learners can learn the second language fastest and best. After this period, the learning process bees difficult and hard. But the optimum age put forward earlier is within 10. During this period, the brain can be easily shaped and changed and the ability will disappear gradually.

3.The current study in the second language acquisition

There are many theorists and applied linguists do much research on the relation between age and second language acquisition, but there are still controversies about the relation, especially the critical period hypothesis. In 1960s, Lennebery came up with the critical period hypothesis. He attributed the difference in learning second language to neurophysiological phenomenon, because he thought it was difficult to change the pronunciation at the age of 12. On the other hand, Krashen believed that the older children can learn faster than the younger children under the same condition. He also pointed out that the adult could make progress faster than children, in that they have much ability and knowledge. Stern made a conclusion earlier that critical period hypothesis not exists. In his mind, different ages have their own advantages and disadvantages. The children can make a fast and direct reaction in the conversation, while the adults are able to learn through the knowledge and method learning from the class. That is to say, every can learn the second language and everyone has the ability to learn the second language well.