Is Learning a New Language Challenging? Tips and Insights for Success

A baby can listen to and speak a language within 2 to 3 years. Most children can read and write in that language by the time they are 5 to 6 years old. Since their brains are not fully developed like those of adults, this raises the question: if a child can learn a language so easily, why do many adults find it challenging to learn a new one?

The main challenge lies in the mindset. This post will explore why many people perceive language learning as difficult.

The Urgency

How does a newborn baby ask for food? By crying.  
How do they indicate they are uncomfortable? They cry.  
How do they show they are in pain? They cry.  

Sometimes, crying gets them what they want, and sometimes it doesn't. Therefore, they need to find a more effective way to express their needs. They feel a strong sense of urgency to learn the language.

Adults often do not feel an intense urgency to learn another language. Typically, they can communicate well enough in their native language and do not have an immediate need to interact with other races.

When a person relocates abroad for work or chooses to settle in a new country, learning the local language becomes essential for their survival and employment prospects. They can become fluent in the language faster because they have something they want.

Single Focus

Babies often have less experience with many aspects of life. Since their primary goal during early development is understanding language, they become fluent in language quickly.

Adults usually have multiple duties to focus on. So, the available focus to learn a new language is not enough on the priority list, and they need more time to apply it. But initially investing more time to learn the language will pay off because once you have reached a certain level of understanding, you can learn passively daily.

Long Exposure

A baby hears language from the moment it wakes up until it goes to bed. Unlike adults, who may speak a new language for a few hours and then revert to their native language because it is easier to communicate, babies have no choice but to apply what they learn since they lack other communication methods. They must use the language they are exposed to.

Living in a country where a specific language is spoken can significantly boost your language proficiency. When you're trying to learn English but live in Japan, you'll practice English during your study time. However, everyday communication will likely be in Japanese. But if you relocate to an English-speaking country, you'll be immersed in the language, using it consistently in various situations. This immersion can inspire your language learning journey, encouraging you to explore new environments and opportunities.

Desire to Imitate

Babies intend to fit into the community, and they learn what they see and hear. Language includes everything from voice to manners. Babies learn how adults speak about a specific thing, and they imitate.

Adults tend to be more conservative and have fewer intentions to imitate different pronunciations and cultures. Babies are braver when speaking out, while adults are ashamed of how they sound. Native speakers correct the babies, while adults who don't speak out much don't get much chance to be corrected by a native speaker.

Start from a Blank Canvas

It is easier to create something on a blank canvas than on one with drawings. Babies do not have existing vocabularies or grammar rules in their minds. Therefore, they absorb what they see or hear without any preconceived notions. In contrast, adults already know a language, leading them to think in it. When the grammar rules of the new language don't align with what they already know, they may become confused and assume that the new language is complex. Thus, it can be beneficial to temporarily set aside your native language to make room for absorbing the new language. You don't need to forget everything about your native language; it's about giving separate space in your thoughts for the new language.

So, these are some tips on why a baby can learn a language much faster than an adult. If we can overcome the differences and learn like a baby, language learning will improve much quicker. Do you find this helpful? What do you have in mind? Please let us know in the comments section.