The Effect of Age on Children’s Second Language Acquisition: Focusing on Family Influence

Abstract

Han, Hak-Sun. (2007). The effect of age on children’s second language acquisition: Focusing on family influence. English Teaching, 62(3), 3-26. This qualitative study investigates the effect of age on children’s second language acquisition, based on a theoretical framework of Lenneberg’s Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH). Data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation. A homogeneous network sampling methodology was used to recruit six Korean families. First, the author shows statistical data regarding early English education in Korea. Second, she reviews the literature on the CPH. Third, she investigates parents’ perspectives on early English education and family influence on their children’s SLA. Findings show that (1) Earlier is better for accent and fluency and (2) Early exposure to English and a long stay in the U.S. do not always brings benefits. This research concludes that the study results obtained regarding the effect of age on SLA should not be considered as a basis for rejection of CPH. Finally, this research implies a paradigm shift of ESL researchers and educators regarding L2 learners showing slow progress in language learning: from deficient learners to multi-competent language users.