Assessment number: 2
Due date: 9 May 2024
Unique number: 781160
QUESTION 1
1.1. Discuss the critical period hypothesis and indicate whether it has any relevance to
language acquisition and language learning. Substantiate your answer. (10)
The critical period hypothesis suggests that there is a critical period in early life during
which the human brain is most receptive to language acquisition. This hypothesis implies
that after this critical period, which is often thought to end around puberty, it becomes
much more difficult for an individual to acquire language to the same degree of proficiency
as they would have during childhood.
Relevance to Language Acquisition:
- Support: There is evidence to suggest that young children are able to acquire languages
more easily and proficiently than older individuals. Children exposed to multiple languages
from an early age can often become fluent in all of them.
- Criticisms: Some argue that while there may be a period of heightened language learning
ability in early childhood, it is not as rigidly defined as the critical period hypothesis
suggests. Individuals can still learn languages proficiently as adults, albeit potentially with
more effort.