Teachers’ beliefs in the critical period and language instructional practices across different groups

Shu Jen Chen-Worley

doi:10.54475/jlt.2026.008

Authors

Shu Jen Chen-Worley Touro University, AERA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6820-0787

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54475/jlt.2026.008

Keywords:

teachers’ belief, critical period, language instruction

Abstract

The study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate teachers’ beliefs about the critical period for language acquisition and their instructional practices across various groups (B-2, Grades 1-6, Grades 7-12, and TESOL-Literacy). Survey-based descriptive and correlational analyses were used to examine the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in participants’ open-ended responses. Findings indicated that most participants believed in the existence of a critical period for language acquisition and emphasized the importance of understanding this concept in order to support language learning. Participants also viewed translation and the use of an ELL’s L1 as beneficial instructional strategies for promoting English acquisition. These beliefs are analyzed comparatively across various groups and discussed in relation to existing scholarship on language acquisition and instructional practice. The study concludes with insights and recommendations for teacher education reform.

Author Biography

Shu Jen Chen-Worley, Touro University, AERA

Dr. Shu Jen Chen-Worley earned her Ph.D. in Applied Behavior Studies in Special Education from Oklahoma State University (OSU) and her Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from Arizona State University (ASU). Her research interests have been focused on intersectionality and literacy particularly on investigating teachers’ perceptions and education practices by conducting survey research with Mixed Methods. She is an author for multiple publications and is currently teaching at Graduate School of Education in Touro University in New York. Email: s20research17@gmail.com

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