CRITICAL PERIOD HYPOTHESIS IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

This present paper aims to expose an overview of what the main literature and recent researches assert about the correlation between the Critical Period Hypothesis and Second Language Acquisition. In order to achieve this goal, a bibliographic research was carried out mainly through previously published articles and books about the theme. Introducing arguments held to support or deny the existence of a critical period when it comes to second language acquisition, as well as presenting the effects of age in such process according to the main literature and to recent researches, were traced as specific objectives to guide this research. Since many authors still argue about the existence of a critical period for second language acquisition, both sides were shown in this monograph. However, throughout the research it was noticed that the majority believes that human beings actually undergo a critical period when it concerns to second language acquisition, especially when it comes to phonological aspects.