How age affects us when learning a new language
Language proficiency is incredibly beneficial to personal development, as constant globalization allows people to connect and experience communities and diverse cultures. From an early age through adulthood, proficiency in a second language becomes more than desirable. Consequently, studying the outcomes of language learning methods for various age groups is becoming increasingly important.
The factor of age, motivation and the results in second language acquisition
Researchers have been studying and looking at learning processes that depend on factors such as age, introducing the hypothesis that younger learners are more adept at learning a second language than adolescents and adults. Younger learners can learn faster, with less effort and they do not bring with them the burden of stress. Studies also indicate that children learn pronunciation and morphosyntax much better than other age groups.
However, other studies have pointed out that adolescents achieve the best results in language learning because "their flexibility and the simultaneous process of mature development facilitates learning". On the other hand, there is also a hypothesis about adults: "since they outperform children and adolescents in writing skills and reading" since they are more "motivated, more experienced, have both short and long term memory, possess metalanguage awareness and common sense."
Despite internal or external distinctions between learners, we can demonstrate how age is one of the key factors in language learning and how it shapes motivational processes and the outcomes for each of the life stages.
Early Childhood and Primary School
Even children who are not actively learning a new language are often affected by language-related factors. If they are not actively learning a new language, youngsters are surrounded by linguistic factors. Children may remember words from songs, stories and television programs, or learn through communication with other bilingual children. Of course, each child's path to bilingualism may be different, but it is always an extremely valuable skill to possess.
First of all, learning a second language improves life chances: it helps with early school success and later academic performance, thanks to improved skills in reading, listening, writing and mathematics, among others. The benefits, in addition to the success factor, also improve their social skills. Language sets the platform to perceive the world in new ways through the exploration of linguistic styles, idioms, vocabulary and culture. It enhances creativity and mental flexibility. Acquired language skills also improve empathy and connections.
social: they define character and help them connect with other communities, make friends and fit in. Studies also point to health benefits for children that "show that children who learn a second language are holding attention despite external stimuli better than children who only know one language."
Teenagers
Motivation to learn or improve second language skills begins to change during adolescence. Tasks become more demanding and require a different level of focus to understand and absorb a topic. Adolescents enter a transitional period and need to increase their self-confidence and their enthusiasm to continue learning. School classes could incorporate learning topics that are the most interesting for teens to learn: popular culture and multimedia; music, videos, games, movies, etc.
Teenagers' motivation depends on aspirations such as learning a foreign language to pass an exam and achieve better school results, improve communication while traveling or connect through social networks and other websites and get their first jobs (among others). Each aspiration helps to form new friendships, develop teamwork skills, improve speaking, writing and listening comprehension, sharpen problem solving skills, enhance their hobbies, shape their identity, redefine their potential and improve their overall mental health. Of course, in order for that to be possible, they must be presented with a pleasant, encouraging and supportive learning environment.
Adults
Studies show that adults are, in other areas, even more capable than children of absorbing new linguistic knowledge. Their cognitive skills and financial, motivation and discipline are also completely different, as are the ultimate learning advantages.
Adults generally learn a new language for a reason and a specific result: travel, professional benefits, professional communication, writing projects, thesis, seminars, looking for a new job, moving to a new country, but also just for fun. However, their motivation is often directed towards a specific purpose. Adults will use other learning techniques to achieve a level of fluency, but in the end it is a rewarding experience and improvements in other segments of life are irreplaceable.
Last Years
It's never too late to start learning a second language. With more free time on their hands and new life opportunities, retired seniors are also interested in building new skills. This includes learning new languages, which offers them a host of cognitive, social and and health benefits. Research
have shown that learning a language at an older age improves memory and reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. It increases the ability to multitask, boosts creativity and intellectual activity, and increases social interactions, by joining online learning communities or even reducing travel stress levels.
Conclusion
Learning languages is excellent for the mind, body and soul and is an investment for happiness and general well-being. Children, teenagers and adults are differently motivated to learn them and benefit from acquiring a variety of skills necessary for personal development.
-Ángela Enríquez López, Spanish teacher in Idiomas Carlos V
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