2007-08-24 13:47:52 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Childrens brains are like a sponge and are still developing they soak up all the information around them all the time, as you get older and your brain stops developing it becomes like a brick.It still soaks up a little information but most just bounces off.
2007-08-24 13:53:51 · answer #1 · answered by Chris P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Children are sort of "hard-wired" for learning language; all normal children end up learning language under even relatively normal conditions. For children under the age of 7 (or even up to the age of 13 or so) language learning is an automatic, unconscious process. Even when children are exposed to more than one language at a time they will just automatically learn them. Something about being an adult prevents a person from doing that anymore.
2007-08-24 23:46:38 · answer #2 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nendlin is right about adults questioning while children just accept. I have learned a few languages and observed that people who question everything, especially when it is different from English, learn little. Languages are different from each other and English is NOT the standard language other languages must compare to.
2007-08-24 21:04:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Within the first ten years of a child's life is when it's greatest capacity for learning occurs.
Also, when adults are learning a new language, they tend to think in their native tongue and attempt to translate what they want to say in the new language. In most cases, children are able to think in a new language, often relying on imagery. If an adult speaks English and is learning French, they will hear the word "chien" and quickly translate into the word "dog". A child is more likely to hear the word "chien" and in their mind see the animal rather than attempt to translate it into "dog".
2007-08-24 20:56:37 · answer #4 · answered by jewel_mayhew 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The critical period hypothesis discusses extensively why children learn language easier and quicker than adults. Follow the link below for more details.
2007-08-24 20:58:25 · answer #5 · answered by Tomisimo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The best time to teach a language is when the child is between 5 & 7 years of age. They have grasped a basic understanding of language as a communication tool, but have not developed pre-conceived notions about what a language should be. They are open to all linguistic input, and process it quickly and without question.
2007-08-24 20:56:33 · answer #6 · answered by grumpy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As far as I'm aware children are able to make grammatical leaps that adults can not. This allows them to learn the basics quicker.
2007-08-24 21:03:35 · answer #7 · answered by Player 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Children can learn languagues faster because they are starting from a "cleaner slate". They are still in the process of lerning to form sound so they can pick up more quickly on the different soundsin different languages. That is where accents come from. We pick up on the particular sounds spoken around us. thus, that is why families sound so much alike. Adults have already learned most of their sounds which make it harder for them to pick up on new languages.
2007-08-24 20:58:48 · answer #8 · answered by Shorty_620 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their brains are agile and they have already acquired the capacity to learn words and expressions and try them out without inhibition. They do not spend time worrying about what they sound like or translating from one language to another: they go ahead and express themselves. They have a deep urge to communicate, which is something which one must have to acquire any language.
2007-08-25 04:08:17 · answer #9 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could have something to do with the one's Heschl's gyrus. It's been linked to one's capacity for learning new languages.
Also, children have more time and less inhibition than adults.
2007-08-25 06:51:36 · answer #10 · answered by p.e. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋