The impact of age and audiovisual input on Italian L2 acquisition in Malta

Abstract

In this contribution we reconsider the effects of the media on the learning and acquisition of Italian in Malta, several years after research had shown that TV viewing was highly effective to develop competences in this language. We do so in the light of the reduced mediatic exposure to Italian in Malta today, and by investigating whether the performance of subjects of different ages varies when carrying out a picture-story and a translation task. We conclude that age differences are not clear-cut, although participants in the 41-50 age group carried out the tasks most successfully. The predictors which led to the best outcomes are early, copious and regular exposure to the L2, and confirm the important role that Italian media have on the acquisition of this language in Malta. The decline of this exposure, which we denote in this paper, is therefore cause for concern.