L2 Lexical Attrition and Vocabulary Re-learning in Three L1 English L2 Japanese Children
Jenifer Larson-Hall
Kitakyushu University
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.7820/vli.v06.2.Larson-Hall
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Abstract
In this paper I review the evidence for the role of age in affecting second language attrition, and find it strongly supports a large difference in attrition around a breakpoint of age 8. I propose a Dynamic Attrition Model which posits that attrition sets in immediately upon the loss of contact with a language but the speed of loss differs depending on age. Three children who began their incubation periods at age 6, 8 and 10 are examined when they are re-exposed to Japanese 6 years later. All children showed strong savings rates but large losses to their L2 Japanese.

Citation
Larson-Hall, J. (2017). L2 Lexical attrition and vocabulary re-learning in three L1 English L2 Japanese children. Vocabulary Learning and Instruction, 6 (2), 1–7. doi: 10.7820/vli.v06.2.Larson-Hall