The critical period hypothesis for language learning
Subtitle: what the 2000 US census says
By: by Barry R. Chiswick, Paul W. Miller.
Contributors: Miller, Paul W.
Series: Discussion paper -- no. 2575; Discussion paper (Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit : Online) -- no. 2575
Publisher: IZA
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Bonn, Germany
Language: eng
Format: Electronic resource
Subjects: Second language acquisition -- United States.; Immigrants -- United States.
Description: "A critical period for language learning is often defined as a sharp decline in learning outcomes with age. This study examines the relevance of the critical period to English proficiency among immigrants in the US. It uses microdata from the 2000 US Census, a model of language acquisition from the economics and sociology literatures, and a flexible specification of an estimating equation based on 64 age-at-migration dichotomous variables. It shows that self-reported English language speaking proficiency among immigrants declines more-or-less monotonically with age at migration, and this relationship is not characterized by any sharp decline or discontinuity that might be considered consistent with a "critical" period. The findings are robust across the various immigrant samples, and between the genders"--Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit web site.
Notes: Title from PDF file as viewed on 4/13/2007.

Includes bibliographical references.

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