Raná výuka cizích jazyků v České republice na přelomu 20. a 21. století

This paper deals with the topic of teaching foreign languages to young learners. Various research approaches and findings are discussed, especially those based on the concept of critical period. The paper also introduces the aims, design, methods and selected results of a study that was carried out by the author in the 2005/06 school year. The study examined the effects of early foreign language instruction upon the achievement of grade 8 pupils.