French Class in London

It’s common knowledge that the younger a language learner, the more success they will have in learning a language. But how true is this notion? In which cases does it apply? How young is too young?

For any other ESL or ELT teachers out there who have experienced lessons with three-year-olds who are hyperactively devoted to their toys and disinterested in anything else, you might even be wondering if there is any truth in the statement at all! For it certainly applies in some cases, but not others. There’s no need for adolescent or adult language learners to despair either – don’t give up that French class London or German class London! Recent studies have shown that in fact adolescent and adult learners are better at studying many aspects of a new language than children, with the major exception being pronunciation.

It’s a debate that continues, with some arguing that it is better for a child to be literate in their first language before launching into a second. Indeed, in a 1999 publication, researcher Scovel addresses the dangers of double semi-lingualism, whereby a child learning a second language at an early age is not able to develop total proficiency in either language. On the other hand, the sooner a child starts a second language programme, say at home or at a Spanish class London, then they will be the recipient of a longer exposure to the language, which should ultimately benefit their language acquisition.

So when is the ideal age to begin that German lesson London or Italian lesson London? Early adolescence (ages 11-13) is currently the period suggested by those with the language research know-how, but as any ESL or ELT teacher knows – there are exceptions to every rule! It’s never too early or too late for a motivated learner to get started with their studies of a new language!

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