You may be surprised that it’s easier for an adult to learn a foreign language than it is for a child. The reason for that is that there are three traits that you must have to learn a foreign language and most adults are better at this than children.
The first trait that’s very important in learning a language is focus. An adult generally can control his focus much better than a child. If the task is interesting then the child gives it his full attention and is often able to learn very quickly but the problem is that children aren’t very good at controlling their focus. They have a goldfish mentality. Anything that comes into their line of view or any noises that are made in the room will instantly distract them and destroy or hinder their ability to learn. An adult on the other hand, can stay focused regardless of the situation around him.
The second thing that you really need to be able to learn a foreign language is discipline. You need to be able to do things every day even when it’s not the most exciting thing you can think of to do. You need to make it exciting. A child likes for things to be made exciting but can’t really make things exciting his or herself oftentimes. An adult is very much better at that and that means that you study every day, that you learn every day and you’re going to learn more faster than someone who can only learn when they’re sitting in a classroom and being taught by a teacher.
And the last thing that’s very important and probably the most important thing you need to be able to learn a foreign language which makes it much easier for adults to learn than children is attitude. Attitude is everything. If you have the right attitude then you can only learn a foreign language much faster than anyone else, a child or another adult. The attitude that you need to have is one where you’re not afraid to make mistakes, you’re able to study on a regular basis and you can keep yourself interested and motivated by finding topics and people to talk to who are very interested in the language and that keep you interested.
Roger Easlick is passionate about languages and wants you to be too. For more information on tips and tricks on how to learn languages faster, visit www.CrushALanguage.com.
