What is defined as the optimal age range for language acquisition according to the critical period hypothesis?

The optimal age range for language acquisition, according to the critical period hypothesis, is identified as birth to 7 years. This concept suggests that there is a window of time during early development when the brain is particularly receptive to acquiring language skills. During these years, children are generally able to learn languages more naturally and with greater success due to the heightened neural plasticity that exists at this stage of development.

Research indicates that as children grow older, particularly after this age range, their ability to acquire new languages with the same level of fluency and native-like pronunciation becomes increasingly difficult. This critical period is supported by observations of children who were not exposed to language during these early years and subsequently struggled to develop normal language skills.

In contrast, while options spanning 7 to 14 and 7 to 18 represent periods during which language acquisition can still occur, they do not align with the peak sensitivity described in current linguistic and psychological theories. Thus, the birth to 7 age range is regarded as the most effective for language learning, making it the correct answer.