Ever wondered why it was always easier learning a new language as a child instead of being an adult. Well, let’s start of by talking about what language is, language is a system of communication using sounds or symbols that enables us to express our feelings, thoughts, ideas, and experiences. There is many languages out there and probably new ones coming or so many languages we don’t even know about.

First, let’s start talking about the beginning of language. In 1986 savage-Rumbaugh, Rumbaugh, & McDonald were the first ones figure out the ability to use language, whether it was an animal or human. Even today we are still learning the ability to use language. Language can either be verbal or nonverbal, some examples would be a paper like this one for instance or dancing around to a song that you like. Language allows us to create new ideas and ways to communicate those ideas or feelings about something. Like with speaking Spanish, when I took a Spanish class a couple years ago there was different ways to express how I felt. When I met my friend Antonio and he is Italian, I learned that he talks while using his hands.

But there was always a question that I never understood, why is learning a new language at a younger age was easier then learning at an older age? According to oncology nurse, Suzanne Robin in her article “Why Is It Easier for a Child to Learn a New Language Than an Adult” she lists several reasons as to why children learn languages so easily. She describes about how younger kids are not that self-conscious when it comes to making mistakes or mispronouncing a word like an older adult is. She also talks about how after the age of eleven the brain is responsible for language acquisition to stop growing rapidly which makes it more difficult to learn or study a new language. But even at a younger age and learning another language you can lose their first language unless they are able to maintain both languages.

I know when I took a French class in eighth grade, I struggled learning a little bit, although some of the words were similar to English. But when I was learning Spanish, it was a lot more easier just for the fact that it is so similar to English that it came easier to me than the French language. While my boyfriends first language was Spanish and moved to Pennsylvania, he had a harder time learning English and he would talk to me about how the words were not so similar but because he learned at the age of six and while he was learning English, he was not able to maintain his Spanish. Now my boyfriend is now twenty-two he knows very little Spanish but is very good at speaking Spanish. SO, just because it was easier for someone to learn a language does not mean it is easier for someone else or the other way around.

In conclusion the answer to my question is that younger kids have the ability to learn these languages easier because the language acquisition is growing very rapidly and slows down the older you get. While language is just a word, language itself is beautiful and unique. It is easier for us to express our feelings whether it’s a song or someone just talks about their feelings, or simply just a picture.

Sharon Perkins. 26 September,2017. Why Is it Easier for a Child to Learn a New Language Than an Adult?https://howtoadult.com/easier-child-learn-new-language-adult-15590.html

Goldstein, E. B. (2011). Cognitive psychology: connecting mind, research, and everyday experience. Cengage Learning.