1 The Relationship between the Starting Age of Learning English and English Reading Comprehension of EFL Students Advisor: Professor Pey-chewn, Nancy, Duo Wan-Chen (Joanna) Wu Kuan-Wen (Chloe) Su Shang-Lin (John) Yang Hao-Yi (Vicky) Chih

TABLE OF CONTENTS  Introduction  Literature Review  Methodology  Results  Conclusion 2

3 Introduction

Background ＊ English has become the most commonly used language in the world. ＊ More and more parents consider that children will have better English proficiency if they start to learn English at an early age (CommonWealth Magazine, 2004). 4

Background(cont.) ＊ The Ministry of Education was aware of the importance of English education. ＊ In 2003, the Ministry of Education implemented a policy that all students in third grade should start to take the English curriculum (the Ministry of Education, 2003). 5

Motivation ＊ The issue about the relationship between age and the acquisition of English has been argued for a long time. ＊ Some studies indicated that there is a positive relationship between the starting age of learning English and learners’ English proficiency (Abadzi,1996; Jennings,1990). 6

Motivation(cont.) ＊ Other research showed that there is a negative relationship between the starting age of learning English and learners’ English proficiency (Krashen, Long, Scrarella, 1979; Snow,1997). 7

Purpose of the Study ＊ Most related studies focused on vocabulary or pronunciation, but very little focused on reading comprehension(Johnson and Newport, 1989). ＊ To investigate the relationship between the starting age of learning English and English reading comprehension of EFL students. 8

9 Research Questions ＊ Is there a relationship between learning English at an early age and English reading comprehension? ＊ Is there a significant difference in English reading comprehension between students who learned English before and after age 12? ＊ Is there a significant difference in English reading comprehension between males and females?

10 Literature Review

11 Age – Critical Period Hypothesis ( CPH ) and Language Learning ＊ Lenneberg (1967) indicated that primary language acquisition must occur during a critical period. ＊ Birdsong (2006) asserted that the cutting-off age should be at puberty or at 12 years old.

Age –CPH and Language Learning(cont.) ＊ Some researchers showed adult learners learn the second language better than young learners (Walburg & Rasher, 1978; McLaughlin, 1977). ＊ A study done by an academic at the Collegium de Lyon in France to provide evidence against CPH (Lepkowska, 2009). 12

13 English Reading Comprehension ＊ According to Neil (1999), proficiency of English reading is a significant and basic skill for the students who study English as the second language. ＊ Yeh (2006) pointed out that reading was a process that readers transferred the message from materials, and was absorbed by the readers.

14 Age V.S English Reading Comprehension ＊ Abadzi (1996) showed the hypothesis that effortless reading is more difficult to acquire when readers are adults than when they are children. ＊ Jennings (1990) indicated children would have the advantage over adults in reading acquisition.

Gender V.S English Reading Comprehension ＊ No significant difference was found in the relationship between gender and reading ability (MacFarlane, 2001). ＊ Haroon and Sani (2009) proved that there was a significant difference between gender and children’s achievement in languages. 15

16 Methodology

17 Participants ＊ Sophomore non-English major students who took PE (Practical English) class at MCU. ＊ They were chosen from six different classes in different departments.

18 General Statistic of the Number of Subjects Information and Telecommunications Engineering Tourism Public Affairs Applied Japanese Product Design Biomedical Engineering Female Male Total

19 Instrument ＊ background information sheet gender the starting age of learning English ＊ GEPT reading comprehension test with 20 items

Data Analysis ＊ SPSS 15.0 version ‧ Pearson Correlation ‧ T-test ‧ Descriptive statistics 20

21 Results

22 General Descriptive Statistic of the Starting Age of Learning English

General Descriptive Statistic of Grade 23

24 Correlation Analysis of Grade and the Starting Age of Learning English

25 T-test Analysis of Students Who Learnt English before and after Age 12 P=.007 (<.05)

The Mean Score of Students Who Learned English before and after Age 12 26

27 T-test Analysis of Grade and Gender P=.471

28 Conclusion

＊ There is little correlation between the starting age of learning English and English reading comprehension. ‧ Children would have the advantage over adults in reading acquisition (Jennings, 1990). 29

Conclusion(cont.) ＊ There is a significant difference between the students who learned English before and after age 12. ‧ Compared to students between ages of 4 to 7, students between the ages of 8 to 12 are faster in early acquisition of second language skills (Collier, 1988). 30

Conclusion(cont.) ＊ There is no significant difference between gender and English reading comprehension. ‧ Finn (1988) indicated that male and female had similar reading comprehension and vocabulary levels. 31

Limitations of the Study ＊ Participants in the research ＊ The number of items in the GEPT English reading comprehension test ＊ Class management 32

Suggestions of the Study ＊ Participants in other grade level and regions. ＊ Variety of tests can be considered as the test. 33

Q&A 34

Thank you! 35