At what age should second language begin?

الملخص EN

The present study was initiated in order to answer a question torn fining the appropriate age to start SL teaching This issue has become a highly debated one following the numerous studies conducted on this issue and the conflieting results produced by such studies.

One group of researchers supports an early start of SI.

Instruction, whereas another group supports a late start of St, instruction and thus rejects the notion of the critical period hypothesis.

In the light b^ the given discussion, the .study concluded that the age of 8 years is probably the best period to begin SL instruction This period is devoid of most of the disadvantages of both extremes.