Mastering a second language in adulthood may seem like a daunting task, but neuroscience has revealed valuable insights that can help you navigate this journey more effectively. As adults, our brains approach language learning differently than children, relying more on deduction than understanding. To gain fluency in English, it’s essential to embrace natural learning processes and focus on immersive practices.
TLDR: To gain language fluency as an adult, we should:
- focus more on listening to English, speaking English, and reading aloud
- focus less on studying grammar and language rules
- learn and practice in social contexts, rather than alone
- remember that there is no shortcut. However, frequent and consistent speaking will lead to remarkable growth
Adults learn differently
The critical language learning period in childhood ends around twelve years of age. After this critical period, the brain learns and uses second languages differently, through deduction more than through understanding. For this reason, it is important for anyone learning English after the age of 12 to focus on learning naturally, rather than consciously.
Conversation is key
One key aspect of mastering English is prioritizing conversation, and connecting with others in a safe, friendly environment. It is an incredibly effective way to improve your English abilities because it allows for immediate direct and indirect feedback, fosters cultural understanding, builds confidence, and naturally exposes you to new vocabulary and idiomatic expressions in appropriate contexts. This creates an immersive and highly memorable learning experience, and allows non-native speakers to improve their English in practical and meaningful ways.
“The role of social interaction in language learning has, thus far, been widely overlooked.“
Verga, L., and Kotz, S. A., How relevant is social interaction in second language learning? 2013.
Rely on procedural memory, rather than declarative memory
There are different ways that we build and store memory, and they are not created equal, or used for the same things. For example, our long term memory has two “branches” – explicit memory (conscious memory) and implicit memory (unconscious memory).
Explicit memory includes declarative memory, which is how we remember things like life events (“my dad taught me to ride a bike when I was 6”), facts, and basic knowledge (“water boils at 100 degrees Celsius”).
Implicit memory includes procedural memory, which is how we know how to ride a bike, play a song on the piano, walk, and drive a car.
Much of our “knowledge” of a language is implicit and procedural, and doesn’t rely on our conscious knowledge or understanding. We can perhaps describe this knowledge as “second nature” and our ability to use a language fluently as “muscle memory.” When speaking in our native languages, we don’t consider complex grammar rules, or pause to question our instinct about the vocabulary we are using.
This is the ultimate goal when mastering a new language: to listen, speak, read, write, and enjoy the language and culture instinctually, in a fully immersed way, without overthinking it.
Hack your brain
Your brain and memory are powerful tools for mastering English as an adult when you embrace the power of conversation and social interaction with native speakers. Allow your brain’s procedural memory to take the lead, enabling you to think and speak in English effortlessly over time. With dedication and practice, you can unlock the potential to become a fluent English speaker and immerse yourself fully in the language and culture while enjoying a truly engaging and interesting experience. Take your brain on an exciting linguistic adventure and let your memory work its magic.