Language Acquisition

The Age Factor

By (author) Prof. David Singleton, Lisa Ryan

Publication date:

06 September 2004

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

210x148mm
6x8"

ISBN-13: 9781853597589

This book examines the evidence relative to the idea that there is an age factor in first and second language acquisition, evidence that has sources ranging from studies of feral children to evaluations of language programmes in primary schools. It goes on to explore the various explanations that have been advanced to account for such evidence. Finally, it looks at the educational ramifications of the age question, with particular regard to formal second language teaching in the early school years and in ‘third age’ contexts.

Foreword
1 Introduction
2 Evidence of Speech Milestones
3 The Critical Period Hypothesis: L1-related Evidence
4 The Critical Period Hypothesis: L2-related Evidence
5 Theoretical Perspectives
6 The L2 Educational Dimension
7 Concluding Remarks
Bibliography
Index

Hult and King conduct here a masterful choir of voices that deepen our understandings of Nancy Hornberger’s impressive contributions to educational linguistics. By providing diverse local grounding to global issues of language and education, these different voices are raised to honor Hornberger, choirmaster par excellence, in praise of her complex views on the continua of biliteracy, bilingualism and bilingual education, and policy for language diversity in education. The result is a lucid volume that will become essential reading in educational linguistics.