Sensitive Periods in Language Acquisition

Sensitive periods in language acquisition refer to specific windows during early development when the brain is especially receptive to learning language. During these times, children can acquire language skills more easily and naturally, including pronunciation and grammar. If exposure to language occurs within this window, mastery is often more complete; after it closes, learning becomes more challenging, and full fluency may be harder to achieve. These periods highlight the importance of early childhood experiences for language development but do not mean language learning is impossible later in life—just generally more difficult.