What’s The Best Age To Learn A Second Language?

One of the most common questions that adults ask themselves regarding language learning is when it is the best time to acquire a new language. Although most studies suggest, and oftentimes scientifically prove, that the ideal time-period is childhood, I hope that you are convinced that this is not always necessarily true.

As the video above explains, there are several theories that suggest that if you get more exposure to a language at a young age, ages 2-13, you have more plasticity in your brain, which is better at making connections and is more adaptable. On the other hand, adults' brains are better at focusing and have complex thought processes, making it faster when learning a new language. The main reason behind this phenomenon is that you are using conscious systematic learning.

That being said, I have met just as many bilingual and multilingual individuals who have acquired a second, or a third language as early as birth up to their 80s. I, myself, have a little bit of bias, as I have always been brought up bilingually and have acquired the benefits that come along with it, but am just as motivated and dedicated to my language studies as individuals who were brought up monolingually. If you want to learn about my experience being raised in a bilingual household and what it was like to attend a bilingual elementary school, make sure to read my post "Raising Your Kids Bilingually” in March 2016. For more information about bilingualism, make sure to read my post “5 Benefits of Bilingualism: Why You Should Be Blingual” in February 2016.

I want to assure you that age is nothing but a number and that anyone is capable of starting from scratch, or of restarting language learning at any age. Due to our incredible brains, we are able to acquire new information at a rapid speed and have the possibility of communicating with all types of people. If you are above 13 and are reading this, do not automatically beat yourself up and tell yourself that you can never learn another language. Most importantly, try not to get into the mentality that you are too old, or were not a good enough student in your language class, and therefore cannot pick one up. My biggest recommendation is to get into a positive mindset, and even trick yourself into believing that you will reach a somewhat difficult goal sooner than you would expect. It is all psychological: if you tell yourself that you can do it, the motivation will come more easily. As the little blue engine said, "Can you do it?"... "Yes you can."

If you were struggling with motivating yourself to start, or to build up on your language, you might benefit by reading my post titled "How to Stay Motivated When Learning a Language" in March 2016. Aside from that, make sure to watch inspirational YouTubers who were monolingual a few years back, but have come to master, and to become fluent in dozens of languages. My favorite polyglots from which to gain inspiration are: Benny Lewis, Tim Doner (I have an entire post devoted to how he inspired me to become a hyperpolyglot titled "Tim Doner: The Hyperpolyglot That Inspired Me" in February 2016), and Luca Lampariello.

How Language Brings People Together

The title of this blog post may sound a bit odd, but I have recently been thinking about why language is so powerful and what distinguishes it apart from other aspects of our everyday lives. The response of which I kept on thinking was how language carries the power of bringing people together who would otherwise be strangers. There have been countless times in which I have found myself in a situation next to, or near an individual who I have never met. If there were a language barrier, the most amount interaction that I could have with a person would be by making gestures, or by trying to make out words in an unfamiliar tongue. If you decide to take on a lifelong journey around the world, you will be bound to end up in this kind of situation at some point, but one cannot deny the awkwardness, or perhaps frustration that one feels when that happens. 

Let's imagine the opposite scenario by using myself as an example. Before coming to Germany and deciding to study at an institute, I could barely formulate coherent thoughts when it came to being in emergency-type situations, such as asking for directions at the metro, otherwise known as the S-Bahn. As I slowly started learning more vocabulary, speaking more with my classmates, and gaining more confidence, I knew that I could get myself out of almost any kind of survival situation in German. Words such as "go straight and then make a left", or "we have not reached that stop yet" started to become familiar, and important everyday verbs, such as "to hop on", and "to hop off," became part of my everyday vocabulary. By saying "Excuse me, could you help me find [insert]. I am trying to get to [insert]," I found that every person that I asked was friendly and did not hesitate to answer my questions, even if I had to wait a few seconds for a response.

Now let's talk about more meaningful ways that language impacts not only my life, but also the lives of billions. I will use the example of studying at an institute, since the common goal of everyone who studies at one is to speak the same language. Although having classmates from around the world is appealing, it oftentimes means that you cannot speak the other person's native language. For example, I cannot speak any Asian language and there are many students who are not very comfortable speaking English. That ultimately means that the language that unites us, or our common language, is not English, but rather German. 

German is the language in which we joke with one another, in which we laugh, in which we complain, and in which we celebrate. We question in and respond in German and have a complete and authentic immersion experience in the classroom, which not only forces us to speak to each other in German, but that also makes us want to actively use it to continue improving our skills. We learn from each other and ask each other for clarifications, because, ultimately, we have all learned different material, vocabulary, and grammar throughout our lives. Since we are not perfect and still have a lot on which we could improve, we build a community within and outside of the classroom. I now trust them and want to continue strengthening those friendships in the future. 

Because of my study of many languages, I have connections and friends in virtually every continent in over 40 countries. The obvious advantages of this gift are that you can visit friends in different parts around the world and that you have the opportunity to learn about other countries and cultures from individuals who belong to them. On the other hand, one of the most beautiful gifts that you can have is having compassion for others and having a willingness to understand individuals who are different than you, either by speaking to them in their native languages, or by speaking to them in a common language. No matter where my life takes me, I know that more than a handful of my international and different-minded friends will have my back and that I will be able to count on them. Better yet, I will always have language partners and friends who I know are willing to help me improve my language skills and to push me to ultimately reach my maximum potential. 

If you gain anything from this post, I hope that you realize the power that language has in making groups of people, and communities stronger and more open-minded. Language allows two strangers to eventually become best friends. Without barriers, you are unstoppable. 

Tim Doner: The Hyperpolyglot That Inspired Me

By simply reading the title of this blog post, you might be wondering, what is a hyperpolyglot? A hyperpolyglot is someone who speaks six, or more languages fluently. A few years ago, I was in my room watching YouTube videos after a long week of school, and stumbled upon a video that changed my life. It not only made me research what a hyperpolyglot was, but also made me want to become one. That night, my goal seemed unreachable, and unachievable. I only spoke Spanish and English fluently, and could stumble my way through French. Fast-forward to now, I have extensively studied 6 languages, and am working on my seventh.

I wanted to share this video with you, because it holds a special place in my heart. It introduced me to an online hyperpolyglot community on YouTube, and has allowed me to find my sense of self, my true identity, and the real me. I continue to be amazed by how dedicated Tim Doner has been, and how passionate he is about learning. In my opinion, he is the true testament of what our brains are capable of, and of our innate ability to speak many languages fluently.

Many people could make the argument and say that his brain is simply wired differently, or that he was born smarter than most, but I will say otherwise. He represents to what hard work, determination, and consistent studying can eventually lead. As you will see in the video above, he has always been willing to speak with native speakers, even as a beginner, and has spent many hours pursuing his love for language learning.

To those who are not hyperpolyglots, I challenge you to rethink about several things:

`1. Do not simply believe that someone who is a hyperpolyglot is a genius. 

Most of the best hyperpolyglots have spent years, and sometimes even decades, perfecting their oral, speaking, writing, and reading skills. They are passionate, fearless, and dedicated. They do not let roadblocks, or their slow progress get them down. Instead, they look for reasons to motivate them to continue with their studies.


2. If you are someone who speaks more than one language, and or is learning more than one at a time, I hope that this video inspires you. 

Who knows? Maybe it will introduce you to a new way in which you can think about approaching foreign language acquisition, and learning.


3. Start listening to more audio input, and practice your speaking skills whenever you interact with a native speaker of your target language.

As Tim Doner says in the video, you may make many mistakes, or feel uncomfortable, but what matters is that you are trying to have a stronger, and a personal connection with someone whose native tongue is not English. Native speakers appreciate it when foreigners take the time to learn their language, especially if it is distantly related to English, and are very patient with you if you express an interest, or attempt to speak with them as soon as you see them.


4. Share this video with your friends, and family.

I am sure that there are many people like me who have a love for languages, but have had many obstacles, or roadblocks along the way. This video could help someone recharge his/her batteries by giving him/her a new perspective on language-learning.

I hope that you enjoyed learning more about hyperpolyglotism, and about an individual who has taught us that our brains do not have as many limits as we once thought that they had.