Author(s)

Wenting Zhai

Corresponding Author

Wenting Zhai

ABSTRACT

This article reviews two main language modules in the ultimate attainment of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), morphosyntax and phonology, and discusses the existence pf the "Critical Period Hypothesis" (CPH) in each module. The review includes the relationship between ultimate attainment and age in SLA; also, a comprehensive reflection on the CPH in SLA is presented. Age is an important factor in the second language (L2) pronunciation. Generally, younger learners tend to acquire proper L2 pronunciation more easily than their older counterparts. In terms of grammar, although age to some extent determines the ultimate attainment, other external factors also affect it, such as L2 input and the influence of the mother tongue. The stronger the mastery of the mother tongue, the lower the level of the second language; and the more natural the environment for second language learners and closer to the way native speakers acquire, the higher the ultimate attainment of second language acquisition.

KEYWORDS

Second Language Acquisition, Age effects, Critical Period Hypothesis