Can you learn a language as an adult?

Have you ever dreamed of being able to speak a second language? Perhaps you recently returned from a trip abroad and wished you were better able to communicate and immerse yourself with the locals. Maybe you remember your school days and ask yourself why you didn’t continue learning post-education. Luckily, it’s never too late to start. With hard work and perseverance, you can learn a language as an adult.

While it’s often thought that effective language learning is a luxury afforded to the young, a study by MIT indicates that adults can learn almost as well as children. Starting young without a doubt has its advantages, but this doesn’t mean you can’t learn a language later in life.

Is it possible to learn a language as an adult?

The study suggests the key to effective language learning is time. As an adult, it is often harder to fit studying into a busy schedule, compared to a child learning as part of their education. This greatly affects the speed at which a person acquires a language, leaving adult learners at a distinct disadvantage.

The amount of exposure to your new language is undoubtedly the most important element in achieving fluency. The study suggests that children’s main language-learning advantage over adults may be the opportunity to learn rather than the ability.

Are there any advantages to learning a language as an adult?

Sure, in fact, research has shown that adults are often more efficient language learners than children. This is due to adults being better at ‘explicit learning’ with greater cognitive control and memory capabilities. Adults perform better than children when recognising rules, forming pairs between nouns and verbs, and in their pronunciation of new words. 

All of this combined leaves adult learners at a definite advantage when it comes to grasping complex grammar rules. 

The benefits of learning a language

The benefits of learning a new language are numerous. Not only do you open yourself up to communicating with a greater proportion of the planet, but you can also discover and understand a new culture. New works of literature, movies, and genres of music become accessible and ready to explore. Learning a new language later in life also allows you to become part of a community of other learners, which is great if you wish to be more active and meet new people.

Bilinguals are also shown to be smarter than their monolingual counterparts. Speaking a second language improves the brain’s cognitive skills and strengthens its problem-solving abilities. Those who speak a second language are also better at monitoring their environment.

Proficiency in a second language also has health benefits. As a person ages, the advantages of being bilingual become increasingly apparent. Speaking more than one language not only improves a person’s cognitive ability, it also helps stave off age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s. It was found that, on average, bilingual patients are diagnosed four to five years later than monolingual patients.

Learning a second language can even improve your career prospects. In today’s globalised economy, many companies value employees who can communicate in multiple languages. A study by the New American Economy found that the demand for bilingual workers in the United States more than doubled between 2010 and 2015. Furthermore, another study published in Empirica, the Journal of European Economics, suggests that speaking a second language can boost your salary by 11% to 35%.

What to do next?

So, as you can see, it’s definitely possible to learn a language as an adult. While it may require dedication and consistent effort, the rewards – both personal and professional – are well worth it. Whether you’re looking to connect with new people, explore different cultures, or boost your brainpower, learning a second language is an enriching experience at any age. To find out more and start your language-learning journey, check out our list of the best language apps for 2024.