8- The Age Factor

Question 1

Critical period

Answer 1

The period of time during which certain behaviors or skills appear to be acquired with particular ease and speed, and without external intervention

Question 2

Sensitive period

Answer 2

Weaker version of the critical period in that decline in language learning ability is more gradual with no categorical onset or endpoint and more variation in ultimate attainment

Question 3

Critical period hypothesis (CPH)

Answer 3

In SLA, the view that there is a critical period where favouring language acquisition, after which native-like ability cannot be attained

Question 4

Lateralization

Answer 4

Process by which cognitive functions (e.g. language) become localized to one or the other of the brain’s hemispheres

Question 5

Age of arrival (AoA) or Age of onset (AO)

Answer 5

Age when a learner is first substantially exposed to the TL, in some cases AO may differ from AoA.

Question 6

Length of residence

Answer 6

Important factor in studies on the role of age in L2 learning, refers to how long a language learners has resided in I the TL community