Learning English is an exciting journey for both adults and kids. Many adults wonder if they can learn a new language as well as children do, thinking that kids have a natural advantage. While it’s true that children are good at picking up languages, adults have their own strengths that make them just as capable of mastering English as a foreign language. In fact, an adult’s maturity and life experiences help them learn English just as effectively!
Let’s explore how adults and kids learn differently and see why adults can be just as successful in their language learning journey.
Intuitive Learning and Brain Plasticity
Children learn languages through play and immersion, soaking up new words and sounds like sponges. They learn intuitively, often without thinking about grammar rules. Adults, on the other hand, have great cognitive abilities that help with language learning. Research shows that adult brains are highly adaptable and can create new neural pathways throughout life. This brain plasticity helps adults recognize language patterns, understand context, and absorb new words differently but just as efficiently.
Leveraging Existing Knowledge
While children are excellent at imitating and absorbing languages through context without needing to consciously think about the rules, adults can use their existing knowledge of their native language when learning a new one. The grammar and vocabulary they already know can help them understand the new language. This ability to make connections between languages helps adults learn both intuitively and through conscious analysis, making the learning process more comprehensive.
Motivation and Strategy
One big advantage for adults is their motivation to learn a language. Whether it’s for personal, professional, or travel reasons, adults are often highly dedicated to the learning process. They approach language learning strategically, using their intuition to acquire vocabulary and engage in meaningful conversations. Kids, however, learn languages in a supportive and nurturing environment, often driven by a natural curiosity and a less self-conscious approach to making mistakes.
Cross-Cultural Awareness
Adults bring a lot of life experiences to their language learning journey, giving them a unique perspective. Their cultural awareness helps them understand contextual nuances and communicate effectively with diverse people. This cultural sensitivity not only makes their language use more authentic but also helps them connect more deeply with the language’s cultural roots, enriching their learning experience. Children, being naturally curious and open-minded, also embrace new words and phrases easily and without preconceived notions, often acquiring a more authentic accent.
Embracing the Intuitive Learning Method
Intuitive language learning involves immersing oneself in the language, having conversations, and consuming content in the target language. This method is similar to how children naturally learn languages, but adults can adapt it to fit their cognitive strengths. By trusting their intuition, adults can navigate the complexities of the new language and build their skills effectively. One things adults can do in addition is take a page from a child’s playbook by being open and curious when picking up new words and phrases, immersing themselves in English through play, and not being afraid to learn by trial and error.
YES, Adults Can Learn Just as Well!
The idea that only children can learn languages well is being challenged by recent research and real-life experiences. Adults have cognitive advantages, such as brain plasticity and existing knowledge, that enable them to learn languages at any age. By recognizing and using their unique strengths, adults can confidently start their English learning journey. Using intuitive methods, adults can find joy in communicating in a new language and create meaningful cross-cultural connections.
Remember, it’s not about who learns better; it’s about how each person can use their potential to learn effectively. With the right approach and mindset, adults can achieve fluency in English and enjoy all the benefits that come with it.
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Sources
Adrade, M. (2023, August 5). Language Acquisition in Children vs. Adults – Lingopie. https://lingopie.com/blog/language-acquisition-in-children-vs-adults-exploring-the-differences-and-implications-for-language-learning/
Hartshorne, J. K., Tenenbaum, J. B., & Pinker, S. (2018). A critical period for second language acquisition: Evidence from 2/3 million English speakers. Cognition, 177, 263-277.
Kerschen, K., & Martínez, J. C. Children vs. Adults – Who Wins the Second Language Acquisition Match? Bilingualism Matters. https://sites.psu.edu/bilingualismmatters/children-vs-adults-who-wins-the-second-language-acquisition-match/
Smalle, E. (2022). Why do children learn languages more effortlessly than adults? UNRIC. https://unric.org/en/why-do-children-learn-languages-more-effortlessly-than-adults/