Part of
Sensitive periods, language aptitude, and ultimate L2 attainmentEdited by Gisela Granena and Mike Long
[Language Learning & Language Teaching 35] 2013
► pp. 3–42
Edited by Gisela Granena and Mike Long
[Language Learning & Language Teaching 35] 2013
► pp. 3–42
Maturational constraints on child and adult SLA
Claims for a biologically based schedule for language learning were first advanced 50 years ago. 100+ studies later, debates continue as to the existence, scope and timing of one or more sensitive periods for SLA. At least eight reasons can be identified for the lack of consensus, several of which appear to be without basis. They are discussed, along with ten more positive developments over the past decade, including research into the possibility that the very few learners who achieve near-native L2 abilities do so because of superior language learning aptitude(s).
Cited by (36)
Cited by 36 other publications
Han, ZhaoHong & Gang Bao
2023. Critical period in second language acquisition: The age-attainment geometry. Frontiers in Physics 11 
Montrul, Silvina
2023. Heritage Languages: Language Acquired, Language Lost, Language Regained. Annual Review of Linguistics 9:1 ► pp. 399 ff.
Singleton, David
2023. Bilingualism and Age. In The Encyclopedia of Applied Linguistics, ► pp. 1 ff.
Bylund, Emanuel & Panos Athanasopoulos
2022. Chapter 9. Age of acquisition in second language thinking. In Second Language Acquisition Theory [Bilingual Processing and Acquisition, 14], ► pp. 177 ff.
DeKeyser, Robert M.
2022. Chapter 10. Age effects in naturalistic and instructed second language acquisition. In Second Language Acquisition Theory [Bilingual Processing and Acquisition, 14], ► pp. 197 ff.
Bylund, Emanuel, Kenneth Hyltenstam & Niclas Abrahamsson
2021. Age of acquisition – not bilingualism – is the primary determinant of less than nativelike L2 ultimate attainment. Bilingualism: Language and Cognition 24:1 ► pp. 18 ff.
Zubrzycki, Kamil
2021. Identity, agency and intercultural dialogic competencies in L2 ultimate attainment. Language and Dialogue 11:3 ► pp. 433 ff.
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Bosch, Sina, João Veríssimo & Harald Clahsen
2019. Inflectional morphology in bilingual language processing: An age-of-acquisition study. Language Acquisition 26:3 ► pp. 339 ff.
DeLuca, Vincent, David Miller, Christos Pliatsikas & Jason Rothman
2019. Brain Adaptations and Neurological Indices of Processing in Adult Second Language Acquisition. In The Handbook of the Neuroscience of Multilingualism, ► pp. 170 ff.
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2019. Cognitive Language Aptitude. Language Learning 69:S1 ► pp. 101 ff.
Doughty, Catherine J.
2021. The Long TBLT Journey. TASK. Journal on Task-Based Language Teaching and Learning 1:2 ► pp. 155 ff.
Dąbrowska, Ewa
2019. Experience, Aptitude, and Individual Differences in Linguistic Attainment: A Comparison of Native and Nonnative Speakers. Language Learning 69:S1 ► pp. 72 ff.
Hulstijn, Jan H.
2019. An Individual‐Differences Framework for Comparing Nonnative With Native Speakers: Perspectives From BLC Theory. Language Learning 69:S1 ► pp. 157 ff.
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HYLTENSTAM, KENNETH
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Hyltenstam, Kenneth
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Kanik, Mehmet
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LONG, MICHAEL H. & GISELA GRANENA
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Long, Michael H., Gisela Granena & Fátima Montero
2018. What Does Critical Period Research Reveal about Advanced L2 Proficiency?. In The Handbook of Advanced Proficiency in Second Language Acquisition, ► pp. 51 ff.
Roberts, Leah, Jorge González Alonso, Christos Pliatsikas & Jason Rothman
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Singleton, David & Simone E. Pfenninger
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Long, Michael M.
2017. Instructed second language acquisition (ISLA). Instructed Second Language Acquisition 1:1 ► pp. 7 ff.
Pawlak, Miroslaw
2017. Chapter 2. Overview of learner individual differences and their mediating effects on the process and outcome of L2 interaction. In Expanding Individual Difference Research in the Interaction Approach [AILA Applied Linguistics Series, 16], ► pp. 20 ff.
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2016. New conceptualizations of linguistic giftedness. Language Teaching 49:2 ► pp. 151 ff.
Donaldson, Bryan
2016. Aspects of interrogative use in near-native French. Linguistic Approaches to Bilingualism 6:4 ► pp. 467 ff.
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2016. Major Research Issues in SLA. Brill Research Perspectives in Multilingualism and Second Language Acquisition 1:1 ► pp. 1 ff.
Paul, Jing Z. & Theres Grüter
2016. Blocking Effects in the Learning of Chinese Classifiers. Language Learning 66:4 ► pp. 972 ff.
Kachinske, Ilina, Peter Osthus, Katya Solovyeva & Mike Long
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Stevens, Gillian
2015. Trajectories of English Acquisition among Foreign-born Spanish-Language Children in the United States. International Migration Review 49:4 ► pp. 981 ff.
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