The Claim
The age at which a second language is acquired independently predicts structural differences in the right angular gyrus and right superior parietal lobule, after controlling for current proficiency and exposure.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
People who learn a second language at a younger age have measurable differences in the structure of two specific brain regions compared to those who learn later, even when accounting for how well they speak it now or how much they use it.
See the scientific wording
Age of second language acquisition independently predicts structural differences in the right angular gyrus and right superior parietal lobule, even after controlling for current proficiency and exposure, suggesting that timing of language exposure has a unique effect on brain structure.
When a second language is learned before age six, the brain's right parietal regions grow larger because they are actively used during a time when the brain is still developing and can easily change its structure. This growth happens because the brain needs more processing power to switch between languages and control attention, and it responds by building more connections and support cells in those areas. These changes stick around into adulthood, making the brain regions bigger even if the person doesn't use the language more than someone who learned it later.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: How age of acquisition influences brain architecture in bilinguals
People who learned a second language at a younger age have bigger areas in the right side of their brain—specifically the right angular gyrus and right superior parietal lobule—than those who learned later, even if both groups speak the second language just as well today. The earlier you learn, the bigger those brain areas become.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.