EN
Reading competence is indispensable in modern world. The purpose of the thesis Psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic factors affecting the acquisition of a second language (L2). The speed of reading as a measure of competence was to investigate the impact of psycholinguistic and neurolinguistic factors on the speed of reading in English (L2) such as the Critical Period, time of exposure, gender, handedness, motivation, tendency to take risk, and linguistic proficiency. Definitions of bilingualism, including artificial bilingualism, are discussed and the role of the first language in developing consecutive languages is emphasised. The author ascertains that there is a need to support adults who tend to be artificial bilinguals and adopt a linguistic lifestyle.