Learning a language as a child or as an adult
Learning as adult or as a child
My parents could speak Polish and Ukrainian. I was only taught English, as in the 1960s it was important in America to learn English and fit in. I often have regretted not learning at least one of these languages. However, the reality is every one of my parent’s five children did well in their lives, as we were focused on other things than Polish or Ukrainian. After working many years in business in the USA, I moved to Poland and learned Polish. The process was painful as an adult. However, the truth is it, it was also fun. If you learn a language as a child, you do not appreciate it as much than if you learn it as an adult. Learning as an adult is a personal growth experience. Learning a language is about being humble and not being afraid to make mistakes, sounding funny and thinking you know everything. I still have a lot to learn in Polish. But learning a language is a process. Try not to think of learning a language like, ‘I know it or I do not’. For example, if you speak 100 words in Polish you speak it, your goal is just to improve it. I am still learning my native language English also for that matter, as all the time I pick up new phrases and words. In conclusion, learning as a child is optimal from the perspective that its less painful, but learning a language as an adult is guaranteed to change your life. It did for me. I am living in Europe and experiencing things most people only dream about.
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March 26, 2007at 7:17 am
Why do you not speak Polish-Ukrainian like your parents ?
How long have you been learning Polish ?
March 26, 2007at 7:25 am
I have been studying Polish for three years, but not very hard. I did not learn Polish-Ukrainian when I was growing up in the 1960s in America because, my parents thought it would be better I focus on English rather than Polish. After I learn Polish to an advanced level, I hope to learn Ukrainian. I speak Polish fairly well now, but do not ask me to say W Szczebrzeszynie chrząszcz brzmi w trzcinie i Szczebrzeszyn z tego słynie or tell you about Grzegorz Brzęczyszczykiewicz
March 26, 2007at 7:31 am
It’s important to understand or communicate not ‘Szczebrzeszyn’ . What about writing - more difficult ?
March 26, 2007at 7:54 am
Speaking is easier than writing Polish for me. From easiest to hardest: speaking, reading, understanding, writing Polish. This is me. Writing is a great way to see your mistakes. You may say something in Polish and not be aware of your mistake, but if you write it, then correct it you will think next time before you speak this mistake. However, I think speaking and listening is the base of a language, more than grammar drills (which I love I have a Polish grammr site http://www.polishgrammar.com/ ) or writing. I think first speak than learn to write.
March 26, 2007at 8:21 am
I think : understand, express thoughts by speaking, read,write.
Polishgrammar is easy :).
August 19, 2007at 6:07 pm
learn german language…
So now what? You can go and attend lectures given by an expert in that language, or you can do it yourself at your own pace in the comfort of your own home….