The Study of Ages on Foreign Language Learning and Instruction

摘要

By reviewing the literature of the effects of different ages on foreign language learning, it can be concluded that different ages have different language learning effects on the learners' learning rate and efficiency, accuracy of pronunciation and native-speaker proficiency and the learners' language achievement. And the reasons can be explained from the biological, social, cognitive psychological dimensions. The conclusions are as following: (l)The children have only the slight advantage on listening and speaking; (2)Foreign language learning can not teach too early; (3)Adults have advantage under the formal instruction circumstances. So foreign language teaching should make use of the age advantages in strategy use and policy making.