The Critical Period Hypothesis for Language Learning: What the 2000 US Census Says
Author(s) / Creator(s)
Chiswick, Barry R.
Miller, Paul W.
Abstract / 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.
Keyword(s)
Einwanderer Sprache Lernen kritische Periode Zweitspracherwerb Immigranten immigrants second language learning critical period hypothesisPersistent Identifier
Date of first publication
2007
Is part of series
Forschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit/ Institute for the Study of Labor: IZA Discussion Paper Series;2575
Citation
-
dp2575.pdfAdobe PDF - 391.88KBMD5: a327181d91b6018e45668407c32f5ba8
-
There are no other versions of this object.
-
Author(s) / Creator(s)Chiswick, Barry R.
-
Author(s) / Creator(s)Miller, Paul W.
-
PsychArchives acquisition timestamp2022-11-17T11:02:51Z
-
Made available on2008-06-09
-
Made available on2015-12-01T10:32:14Z
-
Made available on2022-11-17T11:02:51Z
-
Date of first publication2007
-
Abstract / DescriptionA 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.en
-
Persistent Identifierhttps://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bsz:291-psydok-16454
-
Persistent Identifierhttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11780/1121
-
Persistent Identifierhttps://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.8964
-
Language of contenteng
-
Is part ofIZA Discussion Paper Series No. 2575
-
Is part of seriesForschungsinstitut zur Zukunft der Arbeit/ Institute for the Study of Labor: IZA Discussion Paper Series;2575
-
Keyword(s)Einwandererde
-
Keyword(s)Sprachede
-
Keyword(s)Lernende
-
Keyword(s)kritische Periodede
-
Keyword(s)Zweitspracherwerbde
-
Keyword(s)Immigrantende
-
Keyword(s)immigrantsen
-
Keyword(s)second language learningen
-
Keyword(s)critical period hypothesisen
-
Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)150
-
TitleThe Critical Period Hypothesis for Language Learning: What the 2000 US Census Saysen
-
DRO typereport
-
Visible tag(s)PsyDok