Can Adults Learn a Second Language?
The short answer is yes—adults can (and should!) pick up more than one language. The idea that a student is most receptive to information at a young age, and that the brain hardens against learning new information later, is largely a myth. What actually occurs is that adults leave environments such as schools where they are forced to immerse in education for hours every day.
For prospective language students of any age, three main factors impact the success of learning a second language: immersion, use, and interest. The Foreign Service Institute notes that adult students can learn languages related to their own in as little as 24 weeks, while complex languages with little resemblance to their native tongue take longer at around 44 weeks. However, to do so, adults must immerse themselves in environments where they have regular opportunities to use the language.
Then, unsurprisingly, they must actually use it. Being willing to actively participate despite the fear of mistakes is essential. Finally, adults who are genuinely interested in the language they are learning see better results.
Where young students had the advantages of forced immersion, stakes in the form of grades, and a brain already primed to be learning for multiple hours each day, adults have an edge in other ways. They understand their own habits and behaviors, enabling them to curate a more effective set of study practices that they know work for them. They are also more measured, able to weigh the advantage of learning with the potential boredom or challenge they face.
The Adult Brain on Language
Scientists have long been fascinated with the biological changes in the brain that occur in someone who has learned (or even studied) a second language. The effects, seen in both children and adults, have lifelong impacts on brain function.
Gray matter
The brain’s gray matter is made of neurons and dendrites—the electrical receptors that accept the brain’s signals. In bilingual people, the brain’s gray matter is denser; in other words, they have more neurons. This, in turn, allows for faster processing in the brain. People with more gray matter tend to have better memory, faster mental processing, and even continued physical well-being since the body relies on gray matter to communicate movement signals.
White matter
White matter is made of nerve tissue connecting the brain’s various hemispheres. Adults with experience in multiple languages have greater integrity in their white matter, which improves problem-solving abilities, focus, and even the ability to stay stable while walking.
Why Learn a Second Language No Matter Your Age
Adults should not give up on learning a second language just because they’re out of school. In fact, there is no better time than now to start thanks to the growing accessibility of online tools to assist with learning. From language-learning apps like Duolingo to study resources to track time, create flashcards, and more, a second language has never been more closely in reach.
Of course, adults have many other responsibilities from which children are free during their education. Before deciding that the time commitment of learning a second language is too great, consider that just five hours of study each week is correlated with the brain changes noted above.
Some of the many benefits adult learners can enjoy by committing to studying a second language include:
- Memory boosts – Those who study a second language tend to improve their memory capacity thanks to the increase in gray matter in the brain. Studies show that this effect is protective against dementia later in life.
- Concentration – Thanks to increased white matter from language learning, adults can enjoy greater concentration and focus. This helps not just with language learning, but with other tasks such as responsibilities at work and greater safety when driving.
- Social opportunities – Learning a second language is good for more than just the brain! Adults who know more than one language, even at a beginner or intermediate level, can find greater access to cultural opportunities, friend groups, cuisine, and more. People can expand their horizons and find new and exciting social roles by embracing a second language.
- Flexible thinking – A brain that has learned more than one language is a brain that is more able to adapt compared to monolingual thinkers. Second language students are more likely to be able to approach problems creatively. Additionally, they may become more empathetic, as science correlates speaking in a second language with being able to see each speaker’s perspective from a distance.
Every adult learner is different, and what takes one person a year to learn may be a multi-year endeavor for someone else. What is important to remember about learning a second language as an adult is that it truly is about the journey rather than the destination. Simply learning at your own pace not only gradually improves your language ability but also contributes brain-boosting benefits, even with just a few hours of study each week.
