Before the dawn of the Internet, the only way to practice a language was by engaging in face-to-face classes taught by a teacher. Back then, traditional classrooms allowed learners to pick up their books and meet fellow students who wanted to improve their English or Spanish for travel, business, or school. Today, in the age of Skype calls and instant messaging, a person can study a foreign language at the touch of a button.
But how fast a person becomes fluent in a language depends on different factors. Their age can be a huge factor that determines fluency, as explained in a study below. Varying levels of brain development can also affect a person’s communication skills. Likewise, changes in their circumstances as well as conflicts in their first language can prevent them from acquiring a second language.
Can Age Differences Affect Language Education?
When it comes to studying a second language, our brains are hardwired differently. Adults and the elderly find it more difficult to become fluent in a foreign language than other age groups, as supported by a 2014 study published in Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences. In this report, researchers examined whether children are much better at picking up a new language than adults. The team discovered that kids learn faster due to memorization, while adults need a detailed analysis of grammar rules and principles. In fact, adult learners could benefit more from understanding the structure of sentences than young learners.
Meanwhile, it could take decades before a person becomes fluent in a language. In an online survey conducted by experts from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), researchers found that the crucial period for gaining fluency over a second language is throughout childhood until the age of 18. After collecting responses through an online quiz and analyzing the results, the proponents of the study suggested that the best time to start learning a new language is at the age of 10.
How Digital Tools Assist in Language Learning
The findings of both studies, however, do not mean that an adult learner will fail to grasp a new language. In fact, other experts believe that the data shown in previous studies do not completely fit with other findings. Elissa Newport, a neurology professor from Georgetown University, explained that it could take only about five years for a person to learn the structure of a language, not 30 years. This means that adult learners can pick up a new language faster.
The same sentiment is shared by language specialists from the Open Translation Project by TED. They believe that incorporating different strategies and methods can assist both children and adults in learning a language. Elisabeth Buffard, an English as a second language (ESL) teacher from France and resource speaker at TED, suggested that following a language habit is what separates successful learners from those who have given up the goal. As part of forming a language habit, a person can make use of online apps and digital tools to assist them in their studies.
Olga Dmitrochenkova, a Russian translator for TED, explained that turning language learning into a game and incorporating technology can be quite helpful for students, depending on what kind of learner they are. For instance, visual learners can make use of colorful flash cards for memorization. Audio-lingual learners can sing songs and listen to music in their target language. Language learners with developmental delays can follow a speech therapy program with interactive videos and animations that enhance their learning experience.
In essence, using technology for online education increases opportunities for inclusivity and interactivity for a diverse set of students. Because digital tools can be programmed based on students’ characteristics and needs, there is an open space for an adaptive and dynamic virtual environment. Digital tools can assess whether the task-related command suits the ability of the language learner. Likewise, digital tools can analyze the time it took for the student to make decisions, provide immediate right and wrong answers, and help the student develop effective strategies for decision-making. Lastly, these digital tools can improve based on constructive feedback from teachers and language specialists.
Maximizing Our Digital Resources
Although using technology should not be the end goal in itself, the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) still encourages the use of technology as a tool that assists language instructors in online education. Interactive software and digital tools can provide a safe and solid space for learners of all ages, nationalities, and backgrounds to study a language and improve their communication skills through repetition and consistency. Regardless of whether a person is too young or too old to learn a language, computer-assisted education offers convenience and accessibility, which facilitates online learning.