This document discusses factors that affect second language acquisition (SLA) such as age, brain development, and cognitive development. It states that language is acquired most easily at a young age, but becomes more difficult after puberty due to neurological changes. Specifically, it notes that the brain lateralizes language functions to the left hemisphere during puberty, which makes SLA more difficult. It also discusses how children's developing cognition supports SLA through meaningful learning strategies, while adults rely more on explicit explanations.

1. Age and acquisition
Biological
period of life
Less years =
language is
acquired easily
Time pass =
language becomes
difficult to acquire
It occurs around
puberty
Accent is the
most affected

2. Neurological considerations
Function of the brain in the process of acquisition
Hemispheric
lateralization
Biological
timetables
Right-
hemispheric
participation
Anthropological
evidence

3. Hemispheric lateralization
As the brain matures
Certain functions are assigned to the left hemisphere
Controls
functions
related to
emotions and
social needs
Controls
language
functions
It begins at two and finish around puberty
Plasticity of the brain in children enables to acquire 1st and 2nd language
Lateralization finishes difficult to acquire fluent control of SLA

4. Biological timetables Right-hemispheric
participation
Sociobiological critical
period for accent
Forms identity with
the community
Active role in the
acquisition of SL
Helps to form
strategies of
acquisition
Guessing at
meanings
Formulate
utterances

5. Cognitive considerations
Human cognition
develops
throughout the
first years and
then rapidly
The effects of age
in SLA occurs at
puberty
Adults learn SL
from
explanations and
deductive
thinking children
are not aware of
LA
Lateralization
hypothesis: left
hemisphere
become dominant
than the right, so
children are
centered on the
SL learning

6. Equilibration
Progressive interior
organization of
knowledge
Cognition develops
as a process of
moving from
States of doubt
and uncertainty
Stages of
resolution and
certaintyDoubt and
uncertainty
motivate LA
Rote and
meaningful
learning
Children and
adults have little
need for rote
LA needs a
meaningful
learning
Learning
superiority is not
in the age
It is in the context
of learning
Cognitive considerations