4 ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING A NEW LANGUAGE AS AN ADULT
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Have you ever used the excuse that you’re too old to do something before?
Well, you’re not going to be able to use that excuse when it comes to learning a new language. I’m here to tell you that it’s entirely possible to learn a new language later in life.
In fact, older people have many advantages over younger people when it comes to language learning. Intrigued to what those advantages are? Keep reading.
ADULTS LEARN FASTER THAN CHILDREN
It’s a little bit of a myth that once you hit your 50s that you can’t learn a new language.
A study completed by Hakuta, Bialystok, and Wiley compared the learning abilities of adults in different age groups. Each group learned the same words in the new language within the same learning environment. The results showed that people over 50 didn’t experience a harder time learning a new language.
Children and babies normally have more time to develop language skills because it’s integrated into their day and they don’t have other responsibilities to think about. When adults take the time off work, or learn a new language in retirement, many of them learn as fast or even faster than young children.
As you age, you have the needed knowledge that comes with language learning. Actually, adults can learn the Chinese language easily. You may not realize it, but because adults have a much larger vocabulary than children, it is easier to pick up hundreds (if not thousands) of new words in a shorter time.
Children have an easier time perfecting the sound of a language (Checking out the best Mandarin Chinese program for kids) because adults can sometimes get stuck in their own heads. So, it might take adults a bit longer with pronunciation and accents. Still, the actual vocabulary is far easier for an adult to learn since new words can be compared to pre-existing knowledge.
Many people may also find that Chinese characters are not easy to master at the beginning stage when learning the Chinese language. It could be even tougher for a young kid to learn. The advantage of learning Mandarin Chinese is that you already form abstract thinking, which is useful when learning a pictograph language like Mandarin Chinese. To help students master the Chinese characters, Keats School has also listed out 6 BEST WAYS TO LEARN CHINESE CHARACTERS for your reference.
MOTIVATION IS KEY
If you’re looking to learn a new language, you’re going to create a learning routine. You’re going to have to be disciplined, motivated, and interested. Here is a guide for the beginner to learn the Chinese language. Or you can also consult Keats School, the best places to study abroad for Mandarin Chinese, to conduct a customized Mandarin learning program to follow.
While younger children have stronger powers of mimicry and retention, adults have the ability to self-motivate themselves. Kids seem to have jittery legs and minds and have a harder time sitting down and studying.
Adults typically want to learn if they’ve decided a new language is something they’d like to know. Learning a language is a choice, which makes the lessons easier to absorb.
When you’ve decided to learn a new language later in life, it’s important to know the commitment you’re going to have. Learning a language takes time, motivation, and effort. You can combine a daily study plan with other entertainment content such as films and music to add more fun into your learning routine (Films for learning Chinese). To help you stay motivated, find your favorite learning style, set clear and achievable goals, and remind yourself why you started.
Another motivation for adults to learn a second language like Mandarin Chinese must be the convenience of traveling. When summer vacation is approaching, many people will look for a place to spend the summer holiday, then why don’t you find a place that allows you to enjoy both touring and learning simultaneously? For example, taking the best summer program in China.
Keats School offers a Chinese learning and tour program that perfectly combining Mandarin study and travel plans together. Yunnan province, where Keats School is located, is the most popular touring destination in China. You cannot miss visiting this region if you’re a lover of traveling.
Across China, Keats School has set up different learning locations to satisfy students’ learning demands and traveling needs. Dali, Lijiang, Puzhehei, Yuanyang, Xishuangbanna, Tengchong, Jianshui, and Jingmai Tea Mountain, just name your dream destination Keats school will make your dream come true.
ADULTS LEARN IN A DIFFERENT WAY
As an adult, you may not have sat behind a school desk for a few years. You probably haven’t had to revise in the evenings or prepare study notes. A lot has changed since you went to grade school, except for your passion for learning. Hold onto that; you’re going to need it!
Adult brains may not be as active and ready to learn as a younger one that is constantly experiencing new things, but that doesn’t mean it’s not able to learn. Adults just learn in a different way.
Start slow, take in bits of new information and build up from words and phrases to sentences. Mandarin Chinese is not that difficult to master (HOW TO LEARN CHINESE LANGUAGE EASILY), and you will find that it is useful to learn the Chinese language as a second language in the long run.
Treat the Chinese language as a puzzle and pay attention to grammar. Be patient and learn gradually. It’s not a race to learn the Chinese language. Studies have shown that adults learn best when exposed to new ideas slowly, over time. Reaching free online Chinese classes is a practical way to get familiar with a new language. Take your time to fully comprehend this new language.
Keats School has produced a series of short videos that vividly demonstrate tricks and tips for learning Mandarin Chinese. All of these videos are free and can be found on the following platforms:
Facebook: @keatschinese
Twitter: Learn Chinese
Quora Space: Keats Chinese
Tumblr: keatschinese
Instagram: keats.school
YouTube: Keats Chinese School
WeChat Channel: Keats Chinese
As long as you’re keeping your brain active, learning a new language is possible. On that note, learning a new language keeps your brain healthy and active. It’s a win-win.
YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO MOVE AROUND
We were enrolled in the nearest school during our youth and sent off every day to be taught by our local teachers.
As an adult, we have the ability to pick where we want to study and what we want to study. Thinking of learning Mandarin because it’s the most spoken language in the world? Why not travel to Kunming, China, to study abroad.
Take advantage of the travel opportunity, speak with native speakers, listen to local radio and read books and magazines in the new language.
Becoming a student and fluent in the Chinese language later on in life has so many benefits and advantages (5 REASONS YOU NEED TO LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE LATER IN LIFE). Not only will you learn a new language, keep your brain healthy and sharp, but you have the opportunity to explore the world.
VISIT KUNMING, CHINA
If you’re looking to learn Mandarin in Kunming, Yunnan, Keats School is the place for you. We offer eight different study abroad programs, accommodation, food, and even help with your visa application.
FAQ
1
Is it useful to learn a new language?
Learning a new language like Mandarin Chinese is very useful. Because
- It can broaden your horizon and strengthen your willpower
- It can also help to expand your business or to bring more job opportunities
- Learning a new language will challenge your way of thinking and boost your brainpower
- It also helps you build up your self-efficacy
- Being able to speak a second language will make your international travel easier
2
What is the benefit of learning Chinese as a second language?
- It enriches you in the aspect of culture.
- Mandarin Chinese is widely spoken and recognized globally, which makes it a valuable skill.
- It allows you to explore more when traveling to Asia
- It boosts your career and makes more job position available to you
- Learning a new language will challenge and change your way of thinking too
- Opening doors of appreciating authentic Chinese opera, films, and cuisines
3
Why is it important to learn Chinese for an adult?
Because learning the Chinese language can help
- improve your career by adding valuable skills and qualities to individual
- cultivate an innovative way of thinking
- improve your memorizing ability
- better understand other’s cultures with a background of globalization
4
What's the best way to learn a new language?
What’s the best way to learn a new language like the Chinese language? There are a lot of options for studying Mandarin Chinese. You can stay at home and study Mandarin by yourself via using free online Chinese lessons, or you can travel across the globe and learn it from the local Chinese. Among many Chinese cities, I would say that learning Chinese in Kunming is the best solution.
5
How much does it cost to learn Chinese in Kunming, China?
Every year hundreds of people from around the world decide to study Mandarin in China at Keats school. They chose Keats because it’s located in the beautiful city of Kunming and because it’s affordable.
At Keats School, your tuition fee includes the expense of your Chinese class and your accommodations and meals during your learning. As a Keats student, you also have free access to other Keats facilities, including the library, fitness center, free events and activities to join, and free weekend excursions.
By learning Mandarin with Keats School, you will be able to save a lot of daily expenses. If you choose to study at Keats branch locations such as Dali, Lijiang, Xishuangbanna, Tengchong, Jianshui, and Puzhehei, you can even save more money on traveling. Because all of these branch locations are also popular touring spots to visit after study. When learning at these locations, you will save expenses on traveling too.
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I really had a wonderful experience at the school. The teachers are very very friendly. In my class, we practice speaking, listening, reading, and writing. We play games and other fun activities. We have trips around town. The staff at Keats is phenomenal. My teacher is one of the best teachers I have ever had in my educational experience. She comes in with a smile every day.
One thing I really liked was that I was able to work with my teacher to make an individual plan of study. Another really nice thing is that you live at the school, you feel completely safe. You always have a group of people who are willing to do things with you on the weekends or in the evenings. They are serving you all the 3 meals a day, the food was excellent.
So during my first week at Keats, I didn’t dare to speak any Chinese words. I found out that my Chinese level quickly improved since then. Although I have many options to study in China, for example, some other schools have homestay, I found I could immerse myself and fully focus on learning Chinese by staying at Keats.
All teachers are really lovely. The teaching level at Keats is so much higher. I really love the city. It is very comfortable to get around. I fully recommend Keats. It is a great place to study Chinese in China. We are looking forward to coming back again later this year.
It has been notable because I have met a lot of people who I met first time last year like me to come back to Keats this year. The teaching has been fantastic. The teachers carefully prepare each lesson. I think this one-on-one approach is really a great way to rapidly increase your level of Chinese and increase your confidence and fluency with the language.
All my classmates stay together for one year and we improved so much! The teachers at Keats are all very great. They like to organize a lot of activities to help us learn Chinese. I like Keats! I like Kunming!
My name is Sarah Fish. I am 81. I knew very little Chinese when I arrived. How was I going to survive 2 weeks of intensive Chinese course? I have to laugh when I think of that now. What a positive experience this has been! I really wish we could be here a little longer. The teachers are extremely encouraging, evaluating first how much someone knows, and then starting from there.
I think Keats is one of the best language schools I have ever been to. My teacher is such an amazing person. She is so good at teaching. She makes classes fun. I have learned a lot of vocabulary during my time here. I would really recommend coming to learn Mandarin Chinese at Keats School.