when do you think it would be easier to learn another language?

I agree that it is easier to learn a new language while a person is still young, but they will have to keep on practicing it if they want to become fluent in the language. I grew up with my parents talking to me in Chinese, but my siblings and I would usually respond to them in English or Tagalog instead. It's a real pity that I was not able to practice Chinese more when I was young, it would have been a great advantage for me if I am able to speak fluently. I am not sure if it is already to late to start learning it again.

I do think that it's easier for children to learn a language. Ever since I was born, my dad always spoke English to my sister and me, and my mom always spoke French to us, although they can speak both languages. But those were the languages they grew up with and felt more comfortable speaking. This made it easier for my sister and me to learn these two languages, because we started learning them pretty much from the time we were born. So this certainly does make a lot of sense. However, it does mean that you really are ever too old to learn a new language, in my opinion.

Some years ago I met a Japanese man who lives in Denmark. When he arrived in Denmark he only spoke Japanese, and he said that he learned Danish the same way as a small child learns a language. In the beginning he didn't understand a word, but he listened, listened and listened and little by little he learned the Danish language. If he had been able to speak English, he would have been able to ask people to translate from Danish to English, but he didn't speak English and the Danes that he met didn't speak Japanese, so he HAD to learn Danish in order to survive. I think that it is generally easier for children to learn a new language, but adults can learn new languages, too. As an adult I think it is a good idea to spend some time in a foreign country if it is possible. That way you listen to the language all the time and you are "forced" to practice if you want to communicate with the people around you.

I have a friend with 2 years old boy. They went to live in Sweden and it's easier for him to speak that language than his parents! It's better to be as little as you can. Grownups think about so many thinks so they can't remember so easy something new. Their brain is stuck with so much information. You have to be as little as possible!

Hello Alilin! I agree with you. It's easier to teach one when he or she is younger. I have been a tutor for Korean nationals for over 8 years. I noticed that the earlier you introduce the language to a child, the better. The conflict there is that, they must learn their very own language first before learning any other language. Constant practice is the best way to master the language. Even if a person study a language, when he cannot practice, who wouldn't be able to learn the proper way of using it as a medium to communicate with others using the same. Honestly, I can only teach my students in practical use of English but not as it is, since I am not a native American. Happy mylotting!

it would be easier if you have mastered your first language and you have the second language because the basics of phonetics and grammar can be easily applied to the new language. Sometimes, it is really a hard work to learn a new one, with dedication and perseverance. Children learn by exposure.

Yes, children learn a language much easier than grown up people. I guess their brain is still more ready to new things - and the younger they are, the better. I learned a new language at age 10, as I started school in Sweden. So fourth grade was a lot of learning and I and another girl had good help from a kind teacher who taught us after school. In fifth grade we started learning English, and as my brain already was trained by learning a new language, I think it helped me a lot.

Yes, I certainly do agree with you. To learn a foreign language, living in the environment which speaks the language is indeed very helpful. You keep hearing the words, the pronunciations, the accents and the tones. Gradually, you become familiar and comfortable with the words and the language.

Hi friend, As you said in your discussion that childhood time is the best time to learn a new language. I totally agree with the fact, but there is one disadvantage that during childhood you can lesrn only one language, apart from that in order to learn a new language. I think the best option is to mix up in the language enviroment. Lets say that you want to learn German language. To do this we have. Option of studying the language which is very difficult. But according to me if we mix up with German people then it will be easy to learn not only German bu an new language.

you can easier learn another language if you want and familiarize oneself. just start with easy word. help from friend is more important.

I'm undergoing the same experience as you now,I find it harder and harder to memorize new things as I'm getting older.Buy two years ago it's much easier before I gave birth to my daughter. I'm willing to teach her English as a second language,but I'm not native speaker,so I'm afraid I would teach her not so correct.I want to know if any of you have better ways to teach a child a second language too.

For me the easier way of learning other language is by going to that specific country. Live there, try to know everything about their culture,customs etc. You cannot easily learn other language by just reading a book or a dictionary. :-P

I think there is never be too late to learn, I just started learning English a year ago and I find it is not easy to learn but Im sure if I keep learning so I can master it someday. Why a child can learn a new language easier than an adult, because a child doesnt have much problem in their life comparing to us, we have so much to think and so much to do maybe thats why sometime we are too slow to understand the language because our mind already filled with something else. So even if we didnt start learning English since we were a kid but dont let it discouraged us to learn.

I also believe that it's easier to start learning a language at a young age. You become so accustomed to listening to it and watching various actions that you basically understand; plus, when you're younger, you don't have to worry about grammar, punctuation, and spelling, which makes it more difficult to learn a language. I also think it depends on how much you enjoy a language. I learned Spanish in high school, and because I enjoyed it, I found it easy to grasp. My friends, however, really hate the class. Nowadays, I know a lot of people that can learn a language by just listening to music and watching shows in that language. I wish I could do that!