An analysis of how the age factor influences second language learning: is it a determining aspect?

Abstract

There has been a long lasting debate in the biological and linguistic fields regarding the influence of the age factor on second language learning, in which the question ‘what is the best age to learn a second language?’ is usually the focus of the discussion. However, throughout the years, some researchers have explored other factors that can also influence this learning process. With this in mind, this study aims at designing and providing teachers with a questionnaire that takes into consideration various factors that constitute students’ language learning experience, such as age, motivation and learner’s beliefs. The questionnaire is addressed to English teachers and learners in the Brazilian context, so the questions are in Portuguese with a focus on the students’ L1 (Portuguese) and target language- L2 (English). Recommendations are made for teachers to apply this pedagogical product in class in order to have a better understanding of their students’ language learning profile and think of strategies to enhance their learning.