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Age and Second Language Learning

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Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Language and Education ((LANG,volume 4))

Abstract

The question of whether the age at which individuals begin to be exposed to a second/foreign language (henceforth L2) plays a role in L2 development has long been a theme of discussion amongst researchers, educators and indeed learners (for reviews see Long, 1990; Singleton, 1989, 1995). The reasons for this interest in the age issue relate not only to theoretical issues such as whether a putative innate language faculty continues to function beyond a particular maturational point (see, e.g., Martohardjono and Flynn, 1995; Schachter: this volume), but also to very practical issues such as when L2 instruction should begin in school — which has recently become again a major subject of debate in many countries (see, e.g., C.M.I.E.B./C.L.A./Ville de Besançon, 1992).

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© 1997 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Singleton, D. (1997). Age and Second Language Learning. In: Tucker, G.R., Corson, D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Language and Education. Encyclopedia of Language and Education, vol 4. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4419-3_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4419-3_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-4931-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4419-3

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