Hello! I’m David from MinuteEarth. You’ve probably heard the saying “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” While older dogs can sometimes solve puzzles better than puppies, they often struggle to learn completely new behaviors. This idea also applies to adults when it comes to learning new skills, like languages.
Research shows that people who start learning a second language before they turn 10 are much more likely to speak it fluently, just like a native speaker. You might think this is because young brains are different from older ones, but there are actually two main social reasons why adults find it harder to learn new languages.
First, adults usually don’t put as much effort into learning a new language as kids do. When families move to a new country, children often need to learn the language for school, making friends, and enjoying local culture. Adults, on the other hand, might not need the new language for work, already have friends who speak their native language, and are more attached to the music and movies they grew up with. Plus, adults can often take breaks from using the new language, while kids have to keep practicing, which helps them get better faster.
The second reason is that adults tend to see a new language as a complicated set of rules. They’re often worried about making mistakes, which can lead to less practice. Kids, however, are usually less afraid of making errors and use the language more often. The best way to learn a new language is to dive in, communicate as much as possible, and not worry too much about mistakes.
There are other reasons why learning a language can be tough for adults, but with the right motivation, strategies, and a willingness to make mistakes, they can overcome these challenges and become bilingual. In fact, some adults have successfully learned to speak multiple languages fluently. A great example is Kató Lomb, who started learning languages after age 10 and kept learning new ones even into her 80s.
This video was sponsored by the University of Minnesota, where students, teachers, and staff are working on big challenges in society. One of these challenges is improving communication skills in communities. Professor Kate Paesani and her team at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition are studying how to teach and learn languages better. Professor Martha Bigelow from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction is focusing on language education policies, especially for young immigrants and refugees. Thank you, University of Minnesota!
Imagine you’re moving to a new country where you don’t speak the language. Create a role-play scenario with your classmates where you have to navigate everyday situations like shopping or ordering food. Use simple phrases and gestures to communicate. This will help you understand the importance of practice and immersion in language learning.
Start a diary where you write down new words or phrases you learn in a different language each day. Reflect on the challenges you face and how you overcome them. This activity will help you track your progress and understand the effort needed to learn a new language.
Dedicate a day to celebrating mistakes! Share funny or interesting mistakes you’ve made while learning a new language with your classmates. Discuss what you learned from these errors. This will help you become more comfortable with making mistakes and encourage a positive attitude towards learning.
Pair up with a classmate who speaks a different language at home. Spend time teaching each other simple phrases and cultural facts about your languages. This exchange will help you appreciate the social aspects of language learning and the importance of communication.
Research a famous polyglot like Kató Lomb and present their language learning journey to the class. Discuss the strategies they used and how they overcame challenges. This will inspire you to adopt effective language learning techniques and understand that age is not a barrier to learning new languages.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hello, I’m David from MinuteEarth. You may have heard the saying that an old dog can’t learn new tricks, and that’s mostly true. While older dogs can be better than puppies at solving certain puzzles, there seems to be a barrier that prevents them from picking up entirely new behaviors. The same applies to adults. Although we may excel at learning specific tasks compared to children, we often struggle with mastering new complex skills, such as languages.
Research shows that individuals who start learning a second language before the age of 10 are significantly more likely to achieve native-like fluency than those who begin after that age. You might assume that this is due to the differences between young and older brains, but the real issues may stem from two sociological barriers associated with adulthood.
Firstly, adults typically do not invest as much effort into learning a new language as children do. When a family immigrates to a country with a different language, children often need to use that language for school, making friends, and engaging with popular culture. In contrast, adults may not need to use the new language in their jobs, often have existing friends who speak their native language, and generally have a stronger attachment to the pop culture of their youth. Additionally, adults can usually take breaks from using the new language, while children often have to keep trying, which helps them gain fluency more quickly.
The second barrier is that adults, while adept at following directions, tend to view a new language as a complex set of rules. This concern about making mistakes can lead to reduced practice, whereas children, who are generally less risk-averse, use the language more frequently. Interestingly, the most effective way to learn a new language is to embrace the process, communicate as much as possible, and not worry about making mistakes.
There are other factors that can make language learning challenging for adults, but if they find motivation, employ effective strategies, and let go of the fear of errors, they can overcome these barriers and become bilingual. In fact, some adults have successfully learned to speak multiple languages fluently. One notable example is Kató Lomb, who began learning languages after age 10 and continued to do so throughout her life, even picking up a new language in her 80s.
This video was sponsored by the University of Minnesota, where students, faculty, and staff from various fields are working to address significant societal challenges. One of these challenges involves enhancing communication skills within communities. Professor Kate Paesani and her team at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition are studying multilingualism and multiculturalism to improve foreign language teaching and learning. Additionally, Professor Martha Bigelow from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction focuses on multilingual educational policy, particularly regarding immigrant and refugee youth. Thank you, University of Minnesota!
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This version maintains the original message while removing informal language and potential distractions.
Language – A system of words and rules used by people to communicate with each other. – English is a language spoken by millions of people around the world.
Adults – People who are fully grown and have reached maturity. – Adults often have more responsibilities than kids, such as working and taking care of a family.
Kids – Young people who are not yet adults. – Kids enjoy playing games and learning new things at school.
Effort – The use of physical or mental energy to do something. – It takes a lot of effort to learn a new language, but it can be very rewarding.
Mistakes – Errors or incorrect actions that can occur during learning or doing something. – Making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and it helps us improve.
Learning – The process of gaining knowledge or skills through study or experience. – Learning about different cultures can help us understand the world better.
Communication – The act of sharing information, thoughts, or feelings with others. – Good communication is important for building strong relationships with friends and family.
Culture – The beliefs, customs, and arts of a particular society or group. – Each culture has its own traditions and ways of celebrating holidays.
Challenges – Difficult tasks or problems that require effort to overcome. – Learning a new language can be full of challenges, but it is also very rewarding.
Bilingual – Able to speak two languages fluently. – Being bilingual can open up many opportunities for travel and work in different countries.
