At what age do you think a person should learn a second language?

Question

I am writting a about, at what age you think a person should learn a second language?

Answer 1

The earlier the better. Studies have shown that the earlier a child is exposed to a language, the easier it is for them to learn it. Although, I wouldn't let that discourage you if you are an adult looking to learn a new language! It is obviously still possible, it just won't come quite as easy for an adult as it will for a small child.

Answer 2

Learning a language doesn't ALWAYS depend on age, but on constant and repeated use of it. My best friend was born and raised speaking Creole, but when she started going to school and speaking English, she forgot most of her Creole. So obviously learning from birth isn't always the best way.

Some people suggest teaching children in elementary school a second language. This is also acceptable as long as the kids continue the language and use it consistently. Again, I have a friend who studied Spanish for 8 years in elementary school, then stopped using it and forgot it.

I'm 18 and started learning Spanish in high school when I was 14. Now that I'm in college and majoring in Spanish, I'm nearly fluent. I just started learning Italian a few months ago, and most people would argue that STARTING to learn a language at 18 is too late. But I'm doing great in Italian, because I'm using it all the time.

So I personally don't think age matters as much as usage, because it's entirely possible and EXTREMELY likely that a person will COMPLETELY forget a language if they don't consistently use it, no matter WHAT age they started learning it!

Answer 3

Learning a second language is much easier when it is introduced at an early age. Here in the US, most schools do not offer second language instruction until junior high school (11-13 years of age) or even high school (14-18 years of age). In Europe, however, many children begin learning a second language in Kindergarten (5 years of age).

Studies of brain development have suggested that the brain is most "plastic" (able to learn new material) up until the age of 12. After 12, the brain becomes more and more ridgid, which makes learning any new information (language included!) more difficult. If you follow this line of reasoning, it becomes clear that second language instruction should begin before the age of 12.

A second point to consider is how early a second language can be introduced. Many children in bilingual environments can learn two (or more!) languages at the same time. For both languages to develop proficiently, the person or people speaking each language should speak it fluently (i.e., Dad speaks Iranian, Mom speaks English). Also, learning two languages simultaneously can be difficult for children who have language impairments. For these children, it can be better to learn one language completely before being exposed to a second language.

In conclusion, learning a second language well is much easier if the second language is introduced at an early age. By 5-6 years of age, most children have learned their native language solidly. They are then ready for exposure to a second language.

Answer 4

Well, let me share my experience. My first language is Russian, which I have been speaking since whenever it was I learnt to talk (1 y.o.?) and my second language is English, which I remember myself speaking since I was 4. The advantages of learning a second language at such an early age: I remember speaking it at the age of 4, but I don't remember actually learning it. (well of course I was learning - from my Mom, but she taught me mainly by speaking English to me).
When I was 14, I started learning German. I remember learning it, but I can't speak it. When I was 20, I took French at the University. Remember learning it...
Yep, the earlier the better. But there's nothing wrong with learning a 2nd language at any age, you just need good textbooks, regular classes, lots of homework. And diligence. As a language teacher myself (I teach English and Russian as foreign languages) that's what I require from my students. Oh, and of course you need a teacher.
And it's really great if you have a chance to use the language you are learning in conversations with native speakers of it.

Answer 5

As a teacher, the best time for to learn a second, Third, or fourth language is between the age 0-5. After that you begin to lose your nerves which make it hard to learn second language.

Answer 6

As early as possible. My language teacher constantly tells me that the older you get the harder it become to learn a language. At a young age, minds are so much more impressionable. The most efficient way of learning a language is to start as a baby and grow up hearing it just as we did when we learned English.

Answer 7

It's best when they're young, I think. I know a girl who grew up in a French household but with an English caregiver, and she can converse fluently in either language. I started learning French at age five and my accent and grammar still need work. Since language development happens majorly in the toddler years, I'd say earlier is better.

Answer 8

Before Puberty. Kids, usually have a mind like a sponge. I read somewhere(forgot where) that they can learn up to 7 languages. So, it's pretty ironic that in the U.S. we can only take a foreign language class in High School:) I can speak 3 languages fluently because my parents speak to me in Visayan and English at home and I also watch the Filipino Channel which is in Tagalog. Now, I'm learning Spanish here in high school.

Answer 9

As soon as possible.
My mother spoke to me in Sundanese since I was born, and my father spoke to me in Dutch starting about the same time, and I was fluent in both languages when I was small. Later at the age of 6 I learn antoher language, Makassarese, spoken by my neighbours and friends.
I through life I have learned 16 languages, and I feel the benefit of it.
All those languages have sharpen my memory, plus the pleasure of meeting and making friends with so many people in many countries, plus untold other benefits.

Answer 10

I think that you should learn a second language when you are a freshman in high school, so around 14 or 15, because your brain has had more time to develop and expand to the capabilities a new language will teach you.