AgeFactors

In Language

Acquisition

Advantages of Learning a Second Language

at an Early Age

(1)Capture the Critical Period: At about seven months and until the brain begins losing its plasticity around age 12 or 13, children have their greatest potential to absorb and retain language skills.

(2) Boost English Language Skills. Many English words share Latin roots with Spanish, French and other languages. Learning the meaning of a foreign word increases a student's chance of knowing the meaning of an English word.

(3) Improve Verbal Test Scores. Studying another language builds an inventory of root word similarities, driving higher school entrance exam scores. (4) Speak Like a Native.(5) Learn Before We're Self-Conscious. Children have emotional advantages too. Since they're not as self-conscious as adults, they are not afraid of getting it wrong or saying it funny.(6) Children's Language Classes use Whole Brain Learning Language education for both children and adults is more successful when techniques are used that link the left hemisphere's skills (logic, math, and literal meaning) with right brain skills (emotion, music and voice melody). "Children remember what makes them happy."(7) Future Careers. The more we know, the more we are worth. You live a new life for every new language you

speak.If you know only one language, you live only

once.(Czech proverb)

The Older Language Learner

EmigrationWhen you move to a different country or region, learning the local language will help you to communicate and integrate with the local community. Family and friendsIf your partner, in-laws, relatives or friends speak a different language, learning that language will help you to communicate with them. WorkIf your work involves regular contact with speakers of foreign languages, being able to talk to them in their own languages will help you to communicate with them. Study or researchYou may find that information about subjects you're interested in is published mainly in a foreign language. TravelMany English speakers seem to believe that wherever you go on holiday you can get by speaking English, so there's no point in learning any other languages.

Studying abroadIf you plan to study at a foreign university, college or school, you'll need a good knowledge of the local language, unless the course you want to study is taught through the medium of your L1. Getting in touch with your rootsIf your family spoke a particular language in the past you might want to learn it and possibly teach it to your children.

Revitalising or reviving your languageIf you speak an endangered language, or your parents or grandparents do/did, learning that language and passing it on to your children could help to revitalise or revive it. CultureIf you're interested in the literature, poetry, films, TV programs, music. ReligionSome religious types learn languages in order to spread their message. Others learn the language in which the holy books of their religion were originally written to gain a better understanding of them. FoodPerhaps you enjoy the food and/or drink of a particular country or region and make regular trips there, or the recipe books you want to use are only available in a foreign language .

So, what is the best age for a person to

start learning a foreign language if there

is a choice, and where it is not critical

that a native-speaker-like pronunciation

is acquired? The answer, according to

current research, is early adolescence,

so about 11-13. And the more motivated

the child is to learn the new language,

the more successful he will be!  

WHAT IS THE BEST AGE

BY NAGLA MEKAIL