Fluent in English is now commonplace, so not a few people who want to add proficiency in learning a foreign language. However, is it easy for you to learn a new language when it's over 20 years old? Most certainly answer 'not easy'.
According to a study published in the journal Cognition, the best age a person can learn a new language is before 10 years. It is almost impossible, say the researcher, to be able to achieve native fluency when learning a new language after the age of 10.
"Indeed after age 10 can still be quite adept at new languages, but it is very difficult to get really smooth," said one study author who is also assistant professor of psychology Boston College, United States, Joshua Hartshorne.
Furthermore, Hartshorne explains when the child reaches the age of 18 his learning ability decreases. But it is not clear what causes it.
"Perhaps, this is thanks to the elasticity of the brain, lifestyle changes because it will enter the world of college or the reluctance to learn new things that increase with age," Hartshorne said quoting Time on Saturday (5/5/2018).
New language skills are getting better when practicing with native speakers than in class. This also applies to adults who want to learn a new language.
"You would be better off learning as much as possible from the native speakers and trying to learn the language than studying through books or schools," Hartshorne said again.
So, even if you are not a kid anymore, you can still optimize other language skills.