Many parents ask, "When is the best time to begin second language studies?" There is often a fear that it might be too late to begin past a certain age. While younger is better generally, children can be successful studying language at any age once there is an understanding of how this type of learning takes place.
It is true that there is an optimum window for learning language naturally. The tremendous gains in comprehension that a child makes from birth to age two or three, for example, can never be repeated at that rate or intensity. Even though the two year old child cannot necessarily articulate clearly all that he has learned, the incredible leap in vocabulary and the grasp of basic grammatical concepts during this period is mind-boggling.
It is important to note that the rate of language acquisition slows considerably after this initial rush. Rare studies of feral children indicate that if a child has not mastered the basics of language by the age of twelve, it is impossible to go back and recover them. The window is closed.
These findings shed suspicion on claims that certain language learning programs can teach a second language "naturally," that is, in the same way that language is acquired by the infant, through exposure and immersion. It takes more than this.
Unfortunately for those seeking a shortcut, second language learning must be approached in the same way as learning the times tables, or the capital cities of Europe, through instruction, memorization, drill, and testing. While this sounds very dry and boring, it certainly doesn't need to be.
French is a subject you can have fun with. Number drill can be disguised in game playing. Vocabulary can be rehearsed through a drawing game like Pictionary, or an acting game like Charades. Listening to music and singing songs are enjoyable ways to gain exposure to new words and sounds. Explanation, regular use, and repetition are the key to second language learning. These can take place at any age.
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