How Learning a Language Changes Depending on Your Age

When researchers release new research findings on the effect of age on language acquisition and language learning, an explosion of sensationalist reports follows. They usually mention something like “You may as well just give up learning a language if you started when you were over 18, because it’s basically impossible!”

The interpretation is in no relationship to what scientific evidence actually states. Researchers and neuroscientists have recognized the process of processing language as among the most intricate tasks that the brain is able to perform in its entirety. While certain functions associated with language acquisition begin in the early years, others are developed later. Some appear to be experiencing an renaissance between the years 50-75! ¹

It’s then a matter of what it is to study a language and what do we want to gain from the efforts we put into it. We are aiming to be completely indistinguishable from native speakers using our chosen language or just to be able to take part in everyday social interaction, and to understand and getting along with others as smoothly and without tension as we can?

Based on the second definition it is suggested that, with enough time and study, one could become fluent in a foreign language from the age of. ²

But, there are pros and drawbacks of starting the process during different phases of your life.

Photo by August de Richelieu

For the best accent begin before 10

Many children who begin to study a new language prior to the age of 7 is a sign that the language can be internalized as it is a “native” tongue, with very little difference in skills in the languages they were exposed to in their early years, as long as they are completely immersed in both languages throughout their growing up. ³

It is the term that linguists usually tend to use when discussing “bilingualism,” which most research scholars agree that is not the same as just having learned an additional language.

It’s also been proven that a language from the beginning can become “forgotten” and replaced by another language. This transforms into the language L1. ⁴

Certain scientists believe that the second language may remain “acquired” (i.e., fully internalized as an L1) after a certain point in time However, the specific distinction between learning and acquisition is a hotly debated issue.

But there’s a distinct advantage children possess advantage over adults with regards to the language of their parents, and that’s the capacity to detect and distinguish between different phonemes. In other words it’s that we are taught a number of phonemes in our childhood and all newly discovered phonemes as adults are recognizable to us as different versions of the same set.

A bilingual child is likely to learn five vowel sounds: such as /a/ and /e/. They also learn the /u/ sound, and /oas well as /o. When they come across German later on in their lives and hear German, they’ll be hearing the vowel sound /o/ close to the Spanish sounds of /u/ as well as the German sound /oor. In the beginning, it may be hard to discern the difference between this sound and its close neighbors.

This means that later learners tend to have a distinct “foreign accent,” even after they have achieved the ability to speak fluently. The ability to listen is harder to learn as a later learner begins an entirely foreign spoken language.

There are numerous good reasons to introduce a second language prior to 10 years of age, with research showing an increase in thinking and problem-solving abilities in the young children. ⁵ But, evidence indicates kids who’re behind in their verbal development and reading may have difficulty with reading and writing, which is made more difficult due to the additional complexity of having to deal with two different dialects. ⁶

If children don’t seem to be drawn instinctively to languages There’s a chance that an additional language could cause confusion, and hinder their ability to become proficient communicators and avid readers. Like many other aspects of learning the best approach is to tailor it that is based on the strengths of every child will be much more effective than one-size-fits-all.