Better Brain Fitness (a Brainjo Production) 41: Is It Harder To Learn A Language As An Adult?
Jan 13, 2024
Exploring the difficulty of adults learning a language compared to children, debunking the belief of adult brain incapability. Discussion on the differences in language learning between adults and children, highlighting practical reasons for children's success. Misconceptions surrounding how children and adults learn and the influence of formal instruction. How the brain builds neural networks and motor programs, and the impact of competing habits. Benefits of learning languages for brain health, delaying cognitive decline, and improving executive function.
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Adult Language Learning
- It's commonly believed that adults struggle more with language learning than children.
- Studies show that in controlled environments, adults sometimes even outperform children.
Child Language Learning Advantages
- Children often have more time, motivation, and a better learning environment for language acquisition than adults.
- Their implicit learning strategies also play a key role in their success.
Plasticity Threshold
- Adult brains have a higher plasticity threshold for change than children's brains, leading to differences in learning.
- This doesn't mean adult brains are less capable of change, but rather that they prioritize existing knowledge.