Adults and Language Learning #3
MYTH
#3: Adults Must Learn Languages like Children
As an ESL teacher for adult business
professionals, I can't tell you how many times I've seen this theory proven
wrong.
This myth has been perpetuated by the assumptions that children are "better" at learning languages than adults, and therefore adults must mimic the way children learn to be successful. Obviously, both of these assumptions are wrong.
First of all, learning a second language is not like learning a first language because it implies previous language learning knowledge and experience. The more we learn, the more our brains change and develop. The new structure of our brains makes learning a second (or third, or fourth) language fundamentally different from learning our first language.
That's why we should never learn our second language the same way that we learned our first language.
Children learn their first language through immersion and by being bombarded by the language for over ten hours per day. For children, learning a language becomes a natural part of their environment. Adults, on the other hand, aren't able to abandon all of their responsibilities and dedicate the same amount of time to language learning. And even if they do, this complete, child-like immersive learning is often frightening, overwhelming and unproductive for adults.
As adults, we prefer to approach language learning more logically. While immersion is still very useful, it is also important for us to learn structures, rules and patterns to help us actively acquire language skills.
The bottom line is that if it works for a child, that doesn't mean that it will work for an adult. In fact, it probably won't. Take advantage of the fact that you have years of learning experience under your belt, and learn a language the smart way.
This myth has been perpetuated by the assumptions that children are "better" at learning languages than adults, and therefore adults must mimic the way children learn to be successful. Obviously, both of these assumptions are wrong.
First of all, learning a second language is not like learning a first language because it implies previous language learning knowledge and experience. The more we learn, the more our brains change and develop. The new structure of our brains makes learning a second (or third, or fourth) language fundamentally different from learning our first language.
That's why we should never learn our second language the same way that we learned our first language.
Children learn their first language through immersion and by being bombarded by the language for over ten hours per day. For children, learning a language becomes a natural part of their environment. Adults, on the other hand, aren't able to abandon all of their responsibilities and dedicate the same amount of time to language learning. And even if they do, this complete, child-like immersive learning is often frightening, overwhelming and unproductive for adults.
As adults, we prefer to approach language learning more logically. While immersion is still very useful, it is also important for us to learn structures, rules and patterns to help us actively acquire language skills.
The bottom line is that if it works for a child, that doesn't mean that it will work for an adult. In fact, it probably won't. Take advantage of the fact that you have years of learning experience under your belt, and learn a language the smart way.
Age
Is No Longer an Excuse
Most importantly, always remember that when it
comes to language learning, age is just a number. It's definitely not an
excuse. While children and adults do learn differently, adults can take
advantage of this difference to help make their learning even easier.Never let your age prevent you from learning a language. Embrace your experiences and previous knowledge and start learning a new language today!
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