Btw, the human brain develops rapidly until the age of six. The way we physically acquire and store language and the ways we communicate, changes throughout life. The two hemispheres of the brain work more equally till we are about six years old, then all the bridges are made and the halves specialise much more.

Kids also have to learn basic concepts as well as learning the language: to master tenses you need to understand the concept of time first. You need to understand the concept of categories, like apple and pears are fruits to know what the word “fruit” means. Not an easy feat! Adults usually know all that already but we lack the sheer fun, innocence and not being scared to make mistakes, plus the love to imitate which children have.

Btw, a recent study found that being bilingual defers the onset of Alzheimer for approximately 15 years. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11534481

SO all you language lovers out there: go for it and live healthier for longer ;-)

Marion

I’m loving the blog, I found it yesterday through Yaro Starak’s blog (http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/) and spent about 4 hours reading it and all the links (still working through some of them now!). I’m sold on your ideas, and I can’t wait to read the book. I thought it was interesting to read that you went to Japan for a year and became fluent, as I’ve been in Japan for nearly two years now without becoming fluent and the Kanji is still so difficult. What’s the secret? Actually I think several of my friends out here might know the secret, as some did achieve remarkable results on the Japanese language proficiency test after only 4 months in Japan, and no previous Japanese experience. It seemed to be the people who already spoke English and at least 1 other language fluently who have done well at learning Japanese.

I think there are two main factors affecting their success 1) The knowledge and belief to know that it is possible to speak and learn a second language fluently – People who don’t (like me) often have the opinion that it’s impossible, which becomes self fulfilling “what’s the point in studying anyway” attitude, and 2) The knowledge of what it takes to learn a second language i.e. They’ve studied language and they have a method, they know it’s not just language by osmosis, you don’t pick it up without trying and it takes dedication. But 3-4 months dedication is much better than 1 or 2 years of half arsed learning, don’t you think! What has your approach been Tim? I’m guessing total immersion but with lots of studying? I’d be interested to learn what motivates you when the text books get boring!

So I think you’re right, adults really can learn faster than children and I agree with No. 3 Andrew Tracys comment that “children learn languages in SPITE of the method instead of BECAUSE of it!” I know this being a language teacher my self!

You know if you wanted you could write and sell a book on language acquistion as well. Oh and one on body building – I thought that was and interesting post! And tango, martial arts, acting…. You seem like a nice interesting guy with good things to say and I’d like to meet you one day, let me know next time you’re popping over to Tokyo (or Toyama prefecture..) and I’ll buy you some lunch!