Misconceptions About Age and Learning L2`

This was a really interesting article. This article argued against the critical period theory. The author suggested that though there are some truths to the theory, it cannot rule out that adults cannot achieve master of an L2 language.

I thought the author's arguments were well thought out pointing to many factors that determines an adult's success with an L2 language. Some factors are the environment (is the adult given opportunities to have communcative experiences?), support and individual ability to learn a new language.

At the end of the article the author talked about introducing foreign language in the early years of school. I found this part to be relavent to my school district right now. Last year we started a pilot program in five schools introducing Spanish in the first grade. The district has decided to continue the program. I think the author pointed out some very important factors that will determine the effectiveness of the program. If students are learning an L2 language at a young age for a few years and stops then they will lose the language. Therefore, the investment was a lost. To make the program successful there must be a systematic plan to encourage an on-going use and learning of the language.