Why do kids pick up languages faster that adults?

Answer 1

There are a number of reasons children learn languages quicker than adults - they have less to think about it and less pressures of their brains telling them what is right, also they are not afraid to practise what they are learning, they don't feel the embarrassment when they get it wrong - adults can't stand to be wrong.

Answer 2

Because they're neurologically programmed for it in the early years of their lives.

There's some controversy amongst psychologists about exactly *how* it works, but some time ago Noam Chomsky kicked off the debate by asking how a child could actually generate a sentence that they'd never heard before - and usually get the grammar right as well! In other words, he was saying that they don't learn by imitating the speech they hear around them or they'd never produce anything new.

What this has led to is a general agreement that babies and young children are already programmed to learn grammar, and from that all else follows (including the fact that kids brought up in a multi-lingual environment often learn several languages simultaneously and rarely make cross-overs). It also seems that the ability fades away as they grow up, which is why it's such a struggle for adults. If you want a really learned - but tough - treatise on the subject, try Stephen Parker's book The Language Instinct, but if you want something simpler then search for Chomsky and Language Development and loads of references should crop up.

Hope that helps.

Answer 3

Their brains are fresher, less crowded with daily living because they've lived less. Their brains aren't as "hard wired" as older people's. So if they put languages into the system, they are more quickly assimilated than in our adult brains which are full of family, taxes, work, problems...and all like that. They're in "learning mode"...after all they're either in school, or even younger, just learning about the world--it's all new to them!
Also, kids usually have fewer responsibities than adults so they can focus more on languages as fun.
I used to be very quick at picking up languages, I learned 3 before I was 20. However after 35 I tried another one...and that was work, hard work. Russian and Greek are going to have to manage without me, I'm afraid!

Answer 4

It is believed that there is a critical period for language acquisition. It's usually considered to be around 12 years old. Below that age, children are more easily able to acquire a language and speak it well, even if it's a second language. Past that age, it becomes difficult to actually acquire a language. It's even difficult to pick up a first language past that age (if someone had never been taught a language).

Answer 5

Because a childs brain isn't -set- on that language, so while they can pick it up without a problem the adult mind has already confirmed that it's supposed to speak a certain way. So when we go to speak it it gets all bedrugggled and fuzzy on the way to the brain :)

Answer 6

I assume you're talking about foreign languages....the reason is that they learn at a much faster rate than adults. Doesn't say much for the aging population, does it? lol Happy Saturday!

Answer 7

Because Children are jst born and they here a lot of words from the aldults like for an example when I was a kid I learned a lot of stuff from my mom and dad.That's why they learn more stuff in these days you can cuz they have these game systems and computers they didn't have this stuff back in the days thats y

Answer 8

by using fact youthful childrens are at an age the place they are going to learn the main in existence. it relatively is whilst their recommendations is maximum vulnerable. in case you taught a 4 twelve months previous 3 different languages, they're going to learn speedier then a 24 twelve months previous. I observed a documentary on youngster's and their getting to grasp know-how and feral little ones

Answer 9

because its like learning English to them (or whatever their first language is) when you were little all you had to do was hear the word a few times and you would get it. once you get older you are so used to one language and your brain doesnt work the same either.

Answer 10

Because when you're a child they have a learning brain! When you're an adult it's learnt pretty muc everything it needs know; it hardens up like a sponge to metal!

Have a nice day!
:D