Do age and talent affect language learning?
09/04/24 • 22 min
Would a 49-year-old even be able to learn a new language? Spoiler alter: yes! But why are people different in their language-learning success? What affects language learning? In this episode I compare how children learn their first language and second language acquisition and I look at the different factors behind language-learning success.
Would a 49-year-old even be able to learn a new language? Spoiler alter: yes! But why are people different in their language-learning success? What affects language learning? In this episode I compare how children learn their first language and second language acquisition and I look at the different factors behind language-learning success.
Previous Episode
Introduction: why I started learning Chinese
Hi, I’m Jeanette Sakel and I’m a professor of Language and Linguistics. I’m an avid language learner... or at least used to be, until I settled into a permanent teaching post, had a kid and somehow did not have the time or inclination to learn languages for a number of years. But this changed about a year and a half ago, when, pretty much out of the blue, I started to learn Chinese.
This story follows along with my language learning, from knowing near to nothing about Chinese to being able to speak the language.
Many people have asked me how language learning works. What works for me. Why their efforts don’t seem to pay off. Is it just me as a linguist, having a natural talent for language learning? Or is there another secret that will miraculously transform your learning into a fun experience, without too much pressure and with great results in that you will be able to speak the language?
Listen in! This podcast is made for you. Maybe you have or are intending to learn a language yourself. Or you are interested in Chinese. Perhaps you are merely interested in the process of learning itself. I hope my story will inspire you to pick up a language and enjoy the learning process! 加油!
Next Episode
What is Chinese and is it difficult to learn?
In this episode I look at what the term 'Chinese' refers to. Mandarin? Cantonese? Why are there so many different terms for Chinese in Chinese itself? I try to investigate whether Chinese is difficult to learn. Well, apparently it is, because everyone keeps telling me so! But is it really? Is my learning doomed right from the start?
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