From the time we are born, language is a big part of our lives. We are created with a complete set of cognitive, physical, and emotional capacities that allow us to learn our mother tongue as soon as we become aware of the world around us.
Babies from 0 to 12 months communicate through non-verbal mechanisms such as crying, smiling, and kicking when they feel something. Of course, adults no longer do that. We speak to babies as if they are of our age which, amazingly, babies seem to understand. They sleep when they hear a lullaby and smile when they hear you say "hi" to them.
Simply said, language is innate or inborn to us. But, the language we get to live with is the one we were used to hearing at home. That is your native tongue. As you enter the age of schooling, that's when you become exposed to other languages such as English.
And, as you deal with more things in life together with other people around you, it is natural that you slowly embrace another language that is different from the one you were taught. You may be asking then, when is the best age to learn a new language? That’s what we’ll discuss today.
What’s the Best Age to Learn a Foreign Language?
Good question. It's a question of readiness, mentally and physically. Adults can pick up new topics easily but the tongue and the ability to blend words is what may be the problem. This is especially true when your mother tongue is far from the new language you are trying to learn.
Therefore, the best age to learn a new language is during the early ages when your mind is still open to other ideas. It's easier to memorize and get familiarized because your knowledge is still very few. Children learn easier when they are surrounded by people talking to them using the new language.
4 Essential Steps to Teaching Your Child a New Language
Here are some of the steps that you can try if you want to teach your child a new language:
• Practice. You can do various creative games and activities to make children remember all the words and lessons effectively.
• Always start with the basics. Starting low is just applicable to the age and learning ability of the child. Do not rush and remember that they are just kids having fun while learning.
• Research online for new and inventive ways to make it enjoyable for children instead of making it boring.
• Make the new language a part of your child's life by letting them watch videos in English and have conversations with them in English.
Final Thoughts
There are a lot more of these things that you can try for your child's learning. This is the perfect age for learning any different language because the mind is still fresh and innocent.
Let kids enjoy more of their childhood while embracing the world through the language they speak. By doing this, they will become holistic and aware of the world.
If you’re interested in becoming fluent in a new language, check out these top online learning resources: Kick off your learning with Babbel, where interactive, enjoyable lessons are designed to blend smoothly into your routine, fostering fast and effective language learning. For those aiming for an in-depth understanding, Udemy provides a broad spectrum of courses from basic to advanced levels. To enhance your speaking skills, Preply connects you with native speakers for personalized coaching, ensuring significant improvement. Take advantage of a 50% discount on your first lesson at Preply with this link.
Good luck!
What's the best age to learn a foreign language?
The best age to learn a new language is during the early ages when your mind is still open to other ideas. It's easier to memorize and get familiarized because your knowledge is still very few. Children learn easier when they are surrounded by people talking to them using the new language.
How to reach your child English?
Practice. You can do various creative games and activities to make children remember all the words and lessons effectively. • Always start with the basics. Starting low is just applicable to the age and learning ability of the child. Do not rush and remember that they are just kids having fun while learning. • Research online for new and inventive ways to make it enjoyable for children instead of making it boring. • Make the new language a part of your child's life by letting them watch videos in English and have conversations with them in English.
How do babies learn languages?
Babies from 0 to 12 months communicate through non-verbal mechanisms such as crying, smiling, and kicking when they feel something. Of course, adults no longer do that. We speak to babies as if they are of our age which, amazingly, babies seem to understand. They sleep when they hear a lullaby and smile when they hear you say "hi" to them. Simply said, language is innate or inborn to us. But, the language we get to live with is the one we were used to hearing at home. That is your native tongue. As you enter the age of schooling, that's when you become exposed to other languages such as English.
