There’s a myth out there that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
This myth has been busted.
When it comes to learning a new language, adults and children have different skills they can apply. From motivation to prior knowledge to innate learning ability, there are a number of factors that determine who is a better learner of languages.
Let’s review some of these below.
As a note, there are exceptions to these points.
The Metaphorical Door of Language Learning
In terms of language learning, children have a metaphorical door in their brain.
I’ve gone more into depth about the metaphorical door in this post.
The summary is when this metaphorical door is open children learn languages easier.
How else do they learn their first language?
When this metaphorical door is open, children’s brains are very much like sponges and learning, grammar and vocabulary intuitively.
So while the door is open it is easier for children to learn one, two, or even three languages.
Children can often sound more native because their brains are more flexible when it comes to accents.
This door starts to close about puberty, which makes it more difficult for adults to learn another language.
It’s not impossible for adults to learn once the door starts to close. It’s just harder.
First Language reference points
Adults on the other hand have foundational skills they can pull from to apply to new knowledge.
An often discussed example is the concept of passive voice.
While a five-year-old can hold a basic conversation with an adult on top of dinosaurs, they still don’t quite grasp the idea of passive voice.
Whereas an adult will have had that direct instruction in their first language.
So when they are learning passive voice in a new language such as German, they have a starting point in English.
It is easier to introduce grammar concepts in a new language because adults already have an understanding of those grammar concepts in their first language.
Motivation to learn
Children’s brains are like a sponge soaking up anything and everything they can.
They’re designed this way in order to learn how to walk, talk, or anything related to life.
They have an innate desire to learn or a natural curiosity.
Adults, typically, don’t have a strong innate ability to learn.
By the time we reach adulthood, we have a lot of external motivation to learn new skills or information. Whether that’s a new grade, a new job, or impressing somebody, those are all external motivations.
It is also possible for an adult’s external motivation to be stronger than a child’s internal (or innate) motivation.
Learning through play
Children are wired to learn new skills through play (rather than lecture).
It can be more fun to teach children a new language, because you can incorporate games, songs, and books rather than worksheets and tests.
Just because children learn through play best, does not mean adults can’t learn through play either! It’s often called tactile or kinesthetic learning.
It’s a hands-on, interactive learning experience that applies the vocabulary and grammar in a real world scenario.
Adults can (and often do) learn a new language through a structured classroom environment but also learn in the moment while immersed in a country.
I learned a lot for the base of my German vocabulary and grammar knowledge in the classroom but perfected it (and my accent!) while living in Germany and using it daily.
Vocabulary Limitations
Another comparison term is the vocabulary adults want to learn versus what children learn.
This often is in arguments not to use children’s resources as an adult but the truth is a lot of vocabulary still overlaps.
It’s true and adults might not need to know all the colors and shapes in every animal but knowing their numbers and the alphabet can help them spell words in order to get support for pronunciation.
pronouncing simple phrases such as yes no help me please and thank you are valuable no matter how old you are.
It really depends on the individual’s learning style, motivation, background knowledge, and other factors.
Some adults may struggle due to lack of motivation or resources.
On the other hand, some children may face learning difficulties due to developmental issues or lack of support.
Ultimately, the key to becoming a better learner (especially with another language!) is to stay persistent and dedicated to your goals, regardless of age or education level.
