The Influence of Critical Period Hypothesis on the Second Language Acquisition

Abstract

Critical Period Hypothesis is an important theory to reveal the relationship between age and second language acquisition. This theory plays a vitally important role in studying the impact of different ages on learning a second language. Based on this theory, this article focuses on the different viewpoints of the proponents and opponents of it. The conclusion is that, though, age plays a great role in language learning, branches of foreign language learning, such as accuracy of pronunciation and grammar, the acquisition of language is still affected by other factors, such as professional training, attitude, and cognitive ability in a foreign language. Therefore, it inspires or improves teaching methods in foreign language learning, which let children make full use of the advantage of early learning and make adults study willingly and attach importance to language output and input.It is suggested that teachers and students should make good use of the characteristics of learning at different ages in the process of teaching and learning, so as to teach and learn more effectively.