Researchers in psychology, neuroscience and education have been studying language development for decades.
One of the topics studied is the critical period of language learning including when is the best time to learn a second language. Since this topic can be complex, I want to use a metaphor of a door to help you understand.
The Door Opens: Birth
Babies and toddlers are sponges for language.
Their brain is literally wired to learn languages.
It takes them time, as referenced in this post on language processing in the brain, but they’re not limited to one or two languages.
So following the metaphor, from birth, that metaphorical door is wide open.
Many studies show, and parents can confirm, that babies and toddlers do not need formal instruction to learn the language. Some might need help with speech or delays but the vast majority of children learn their native language through immersion.
The Door Closes: Puberty
That door doesn’t stay open forever though, there are many adults who can only speak one language.
That metaphorical door starts to close about puberty and once it closes, for some people, it doesn’t open again.
The door doesn’t slam shut, meaning people can learn another language or nuances to their own language.
Some people can keep that door open longer and others it closes faster. Factors can include innate ability to learn languages, motivation to keep using the current languages, current use of the languages, and other personality type factors.
Closed forever?
Once that door shuts, is it shut forever?
Not necessarily.
Again, referring back to the factors that can keep the door of language open (motivation, use, personality, etc.), those same factors can reopen the door.
It won’t be able to open entirely wide ever again as shown by studies on adults learning a foreign language, but high levels of comprehension and verbal skills are possible.
Immigrants were tested on their language skills when they first arrived in a new country and then years later. The younger someone was when they arrived in the country, the closer they were to native fluency.
Think of the door rusted and locked shut, difficult if not impossible to open right?
Same idea for language. After a certain amount of time from learning the first language, that ability to learn other languages gets harder if not impossible. Getting a foot in that door keeps it open.
One way to do that is to start learning a second language as early as possible.
My Experience Learning
I started learning my second language in Kindergarten (about 5-6) so perfect timing to keep that door open.
Remember, the door starts to close about puberty which can start as early as 8.
I remember it was part of the school day and every day for 30 minutes we would learn songs and vocabulary through play. Unfortunately, my fluency in French has faded since I stopped using it regularly over a decade ago, but the effects of learning it early have stayed. Learning French so early helped me learn German in college.
Consistency was one of the factors (regular use!) that helped make sure my metaphorical door stayed open.
Consistency doesn’t have to be every day but a regular habit of use, every day is better but not required. Those classes in school twice a week add up too! I had French lessons multiple times a week from kindergarten through senior year of high school (that’s 12 years!).
It doesn’t have to be just language at home either. That is the best way to maintain consistency and practice but not required as I only had exposure to French at school. Neither of my parents speak a foreign language.
When is the best time to learn a second language?
So when is the best time to learn a second language?
When that metaphorical door is still open, before puberty.
Remember your brain is wired to learn all the nuances of language between birth and puberty so take advantage of that innate ability and reap the benefits!
The second best time is now.
If you want to learn another language, go for it! You have the motivation and even a little bit of another language can change your brain for the better.
References:
Jayasankar, J. M. (2022). Evaluating the Existence and Nature of the Critical Period Hypothesis in Second Language Acquisition.
Kendigelen, G. (2022). The Critical Period Effect and Maturational factors.
