People often say, “I’m just too old!” when confronted with the idea of learning a new language. Many people believe that it’s harder to learn a new language as you get older, but there’s no credible evidence to say that’s actually true. Are there strengths and weaknesses to be considered for learners depending on age? Of course, but this should never discourage you from learning a new language.
Let’s consider the two age groups, children and adults, and how they differ as language learners.
- End Result – Children are able to more quickly acquire the initial natural use of language and have less of a foreign accent. Adults, by contrast, are generally able to learn grammar points, vocabulary, and an ability to read in the second language more quickly.
- Previous Knowledge — Children are still learning their first language while learning a second one, which means they have less previous linguistic knowledge on which to draw. Adults, on the other hand, have advanced knowledge about their first language which will serve them well when learning new grammar points and more abstract concepts in their new language.
- Motivation — It’s also important to consider the learner’s motivation and level of commitment outside of classroom instruction. Children are generally much less motivated to access resources and practice their new language outside of the classroom. Adults have more self-determination to schedule and access resources beyond language instruction in order to enrich their learning experience. Parents and language instructors may need to find ways to motivate children’s learning through games and other fun activities that don’t rely as much on rote memorization of vocabulary and grammar rules.
Regardless of specific strengths and weaknesses, your age should never affect your decision to learn a new language. Focus more on personal challenges, such as time management, difficulty listening and understanding accents, trouble stepping outside of your comfort zone, or difficulty discovering ways to use the language you’re learning outside of your instruction. Although these are common challenges, they can all be addressed with commitment and a solid plan – your age should never hold you back from your language goals.
Do you have tips or recommendations for adult language learners? Have you learned a language as an adult you didn’t think you could? Let us know about your experiences in the comments!
