Comments on: Learn Language Like a Child? http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/08/10/learn-language-like-a-child/ Language Learning and Multiculturalism Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:51:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Guessing Game « Tower of Confusion http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/08/10/learn-language-like-a-child/comment-page-1/#comment-282 Guessing Game « Tower of Confusion Sat, 22 Dec 2007 13:16:59 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/learn-language-like-a-child/#comment-282 [...] Secondly, what is wrong with thinking in my native language? I have a knowledge of an adult. I learn faster than a child because I don’t need to learn the words and the concepts at the same time. I don’t want [...] [...] Secondly, what is wrong with thinking in my native language? I have a knowledge of an adult. I learn faster than a child because I don’t need to learn the words and the concepts at the same time. I don’t want [...]

]]> By: chris(mandarin_student) http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/08/10/learn-language-like-a-child/comment-page-1/#comment-283 chris(mandarin_student) Mon, 10 Sep 2007 17:24:19 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/learn-language-like-a-child/#comment-283 I agree, and as you point out adults can learn languages much faster than Children (despite it being so often presented the other way around). As you say part of the reason we can learn faster is that we have already done a lot of work by learning a language (any language). I think the ability to concentrate for longer helps too, and adult can be attentive to new language for long periods of time. Ultimately the child may go further in his/her mother tongue but that is after 20 years or so. Maybe the reason that many second language learners don't get perfect is simply because the payoff isn't worth it (if you can get pretty damn good in half the time why bother). I agree, and as you point out adults can learn languages much faster than Children (despite it being so often presented the other way around).

As you say part of the reason we can learn faster is that we have already done a lot of work by learning a language (any language). I think the ability to concentrate for longer helps too, and adult can be attentive to new language for long periods of time.

Ultimately the child may go further in his/her mother tongue but that is after 20 years or so. Maybe the reason that many second language learners don’t get perfect is simply because the payoff isn’t worth it (if you can get pretty damn good in half the time why bother).

]]> By: Harvey http://www.towerofconfusion.com/2007/08/10/learn-language-like-a-child/comment-page-1/#comment-284 Harvey Wed, 15 Aug 2007 07:37:53 +0000 http://towerofconfusion.wordpress.com/2007/08/10/learn-language-like-a-child/#comment-284 Fearlessness is a great advantage kids have... when learning their first language! I have seen many extremely shy children in Japan who have been thrown into "English lessons", only to be so shy as to never make a peep. Poor things! Of course, I'm sure it would be different if they were in a school abroad totally surrounded by foreigners though. Fearlessness is a great advantage kids have… when learning their first language! I have seen many extremely shy children in Japan who have been thrown into “English lessons”, only to be so shy as to never make a peep. Poor things!

Of course, I’m sure it would be different if they were in a school abroad totally surrounded by foreigners though.

]]>