The Critical Period Hypothesis: A Convenient Excuse or a Real Barier for Adult Language Learners?
Main Article Content
Abstract
Age holds a significant role in second language acquisition (SLA). Several research shows that the ability to learn a second language decreases when someome gets older. This study reviewed relevant studies on the effect of age on second language acquisition in order to achieve the best results since language learning methods should be adapted to the learner’s age level and specific needs. The results explained that younger learners are more adept at mastering a second language due to their brain's plasticity, which allows them to learn new information quickly. They can easily acquire the language’s grammar, vocabulary, and prnounciation through immersion and exposure. As learners age, their ability to learn a second language decreases. After adolescence, the brain becomes less plastic, and the acquisition of second language becomes more challenging. Research also pointed out that language also has a positive influences on a country’s economic development, as well as improving the international relations of local entrepreneurs. However, adult learners can still learn a second language, but it may take more their time and effort. Moreover, the learning strategies and motivation that learners applied in learning the second language also play an important role in second language acquisition (SLA). Beginners may not have a solid motivation to learn a second language, while adult learners may have a stronger motivation due to professional or personal reasons. Age is a crucial factor in second language acquisition, but it is not the only factor that determines the success of language use. The learner’s learning strategies, exposure, and motivation to the second language also play a significant role in the acquisition of a second language.
Downloads
Article Details

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
Al-Khreshes, M. H. (2022). Phonetic challenges in English: the impact of mispronunciation ofthe bilabial plosive/p/on communication among Saudi EFL learners. The Explora, 28-34.
Bald, J. (2007). Using Phonics to Teach Reading and Spelling. London: Paul Chapman Publisher.
Bialystock, E. (1997). The structure of age: In search of barriers to second language acquisition. Second Language Research, 117-137.
Boeree, D. G. (2003). Development of Language in Children.
Chen, S., Zhao, J., Ruiter, L. d., & Huang, J. (2022). A burden or a boost: the impact of early childhood English learning experience on lower elementary English and Chinese achievement. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 1212-1229.
Dekeyser, R. M. (2000). THE ROBUSTNESS OF CRITICAL PERIOD EFFECTS IN SECOND LANGUAGEACQUISITION. Cambridge University Press.
Dey, M., Amelia, R., & Setiawan, A. (2024). The impact of age on second language acquisition: a critical review. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 3560-3570.
George, M. W. (2008). Interaction Between the Native and Second Language Phonetic Subsystem. Speech Communication, 467-491.
Granena, G., & Long, M. H. (2013). Age of onset, length of residence, language aptitude, and ultimate L2 attainment in three linguistic domains. Second Language Research, 311-343.
Gualtieri, S., & Finn, A. S. (2022). The Sweet Spot: When Children’s Developing Abilities, Brains, and Knowledge Make Them Better Learners Than Adults. Journal indexing and metrics, 1322-1338.
Hartshorne, J. K., Tenenbaum, J. B., & Pinker, S. (2018). J. K. Hartshorne, J. B. Tenenbaum, and S. Pinker, “A critical period for second language acquisition: evidence from 2/3 million . Cognition, 263-277.
Hu, R. (2016). The age factor in second language learning. In R. Hu.
Johnson, J. S., & Newport, E. L. (1989). Critical period effects in second language learning: the influence of maturational state on the acquisition of English as a second language. Cognition, 215-258.
Lumentut, Y., & Lengkoan, F. (2021). The Relationship of Psycholinguistic in Acquisition and Language Learning. Journal of English Cullture, Language, Litterature and Education, 17-26.
Lumentut, Y., & Lengkoan, F. (n.d.). The Relationship of Psycholinguistic in A.
Ozfidan, B., & Burlbaw, L. M. (2019). A Literature-Based Approach on Age Factors in Second Language Acquisition: Children, Adolescents, and Adults . Canada: Canadian Center of Science and Education.
Pakpahan, F. H., & Saragih, M. (2023). Theory Of Cognitive Development By Jean Piaget. Journal od Applied Linguistic.
Pickering, L. (2012). Second Language Speech Production. The Routledge handbook of second language acquisition, 335-348.
Rahman, M. M., Pandian, A., Karim, A., & Shahed, F. H. (2017). Effect of Age in Second Language Acquisition: A Critical Review from the Perspective of Critical Period Hypothesis and Ultimate Attainment. International Journal of English Linguistic, 1-7.
Saito, K. (2015). The role of age of acquisition in late second language oral profiency attainment. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 713-743.
Siahaan, F. (2022). The Critical Periode Hypothesis of SLA Erics Lenneberg's. Journal of Applied Linguistic, 43-44.
Snow, C. E. (2010). Academic language and the challenge of reading for learning about science. Science, 450-452.
Steinberg, D., Nagata, H., & Aline, D. (2021). Psycholinguistic : Languae, Mind and World. England : Longman.
Troike, M. S., & Barto, K. (2017). Introducing Second Language Acquisition. Arizona: Cambrige University Press.




















