Part I Summary
In the first article written by Johnson & Newport (1989), researchers use literature review to explore the role of critical period in language learning in order to determine whether age of learners affect their level of proficiency in second language. They have found that the critical period may extend to second language learning. In other words, older learners cannot effectively learn second language as they have poor potential for learning because of the decline in language learning skills during the period of maturational growth.
In the second article written by Marinova-Todd, Marshall & Snow (2000), due attention is paid to the misconceptions regarding second language learning by adults. Researchers use case studies and literature reviewing. They have found that age does not affect learning language. They conclude that older learners have an opportunity to learn second language to a high level, while young learners can be involved in the process of learning without justification on ground of biological readiness.
Part 2 Comparative Essay
Both articles discuss the issues related to second language learning, but there are differences in the key points of these studies. In their article, Johnson & Newport (1989) state that the critical period (from infancy untill puberty) affects language learning because of the effects of maturational change in specific language acquisition device, while in the second article by Marinova-Todd and colleagues (2000), researchers believe that this is misunderstanding of adult learners’ potential to learning second language. There are three fallacies associated with this misunderstanding: misinterpretation of observations, misattribution of conclusions regarding language proficiency and the fallacy of reasoning from frequent failure to impossibility of success in second language learning(Marinova-Todd et al., 2000). Besides, Marinova-Todd and colleagues place emphasis on the role of motivation and environment in learning process. There is much evidence that age differences influence the differences in the process of learning, but do not influence the capacity to learn.
References
Johnson, J. S. & Newport, E. L. (1989). “Critical Period Effect in Second Language Learning: The Influence of Maturational State on the Acquisition of English as a Second Language,” Cognitive Psychology 21: 60-99.
Marinova-Todd, S. H., Marshall, D. B. & Snow, S. E. (2000). “Three Misconceptions about Age and L 2 Learning,” Tesol Quorterly 34(1): 9-33.
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"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016