Physiological Characteristics

Physiological characteristics refer to the physical functions of a human. According to the critical hypothesis theory, children who have not reached the critical age are still physically and biologically immature and have neurological advantages in learning language as compared to adults (Lenneberg, 1967).Their speech organs and brains are more flexible which also make it easier for them to speak with a more accurate pronunciation and intonation (Lenneberg, Penfield & Roberts, 1960). Adults, on the other hand, are less flexible in their speech organs and more limited in developing native-like proficiency because their tone and pronunciation of a second language are often affected by their first language.

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