The Critical Period Hypothesis for Language Learning: What the 2000 US Census Says

Barry Chiswick and Paul Miller

No 2575, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: immigrants; critical period hypothesis; second language learning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: F22 J15 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 37 pages
Date: 2007-01
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Published - published as "A Test of the Critical Period Hypothesis for Language Learning" in: Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 2008, 29 (1), 16-29

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