關鍵期假說

关键期假设（英文：critical period hypothesis）是一个长期存在争论的假说，关于人是否存在一个语言学习的关键年龄段。 该假说一般认为，存在一个理想时期更容易受语言环境影响从而比其他时间更容易学习一门语言。关键期假设认为，生命的最初几年是关键时期，在足够的刺激下，人都能习得第一语言。如果超过这个时期，语言的学习将会非常困难，特别是在语法方面。然而事實上這種說法目前在學界仍然只是一種假說，各方學者對此仍有許多批評爭議，未有定論。

參考文獻

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延伸閱讀

• Cook, V. Second Language Learning and Language Teaching. London: Hodder Arnold. 2001. 
• Johnson, J.S.; Newport, E.L. Critical period effects in second language learning: the influence of maturational state on the acquisition of English as a second language. Cognitive Psychology. 1989, 21 (1): 60–99. PMID 2920538. doi:10.1016/0010-0285(89)90003-0. 
• Lamendella, J.T. General principles of Neurofunctional organization and their manifestation in primary and non-primary language acquisition. Language Learning. 1977, 27: 155–9. doi:10.1111/j.1467-1770.1977.tb00298.x.  [introduces the phrase 'sensitive period'.]
• Lightbown, P.; Spada, N. How Languages are Learned 2nd. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2006. ISBN 0-19-442224-0. 
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• White, L. (2003). Second Language Acquisition and Universal Grammar. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Zhao, A.H.; Morgan, C. Consideration of Age in L2 Attainment - Children, Adolescents and Adults. Asian EFL Journal. 2005, 6 (4). （原始内容存档于2006-12-08）.