Does it get harder to learn a foriegn langauge the older you get?
211459
At around age 6, certain neural paths forge themselves in the brain, and though they are capable of extending themselves in the things they know, the set paths of knowledge severely cuts off the sort of open-circuit knowlege aquisition young children possess.  The brain must do this to continue to build on retained knowledge - interestingly enough, language is so vital to our species that it wants to set itself early in development.  Therefore, the abilities to reproduce certain sounds spoken in other languages depletes quickly.  \nA newborn to age 2 year old can reproduce every sound of all languages.  They lose this ability early, and in the US we don't teach other languages until high school, when it's almost too late.  In europe they teach multiple languages at young ages and many Europeans are bi- or tri-lingual.  That is the best way, to teach at a young, young age.  I myself sing Spanish and German folk-songs to my young nieces and nephews.  They love it, and now they sing them with me.
334959
Language is evolving all the time - for instance we no longer speak as Shakepeare did - or even as people did a 100 years ago.  Man on TV said with all internet, texting, mixed cultures, our language was definitely changing - particularly in the young.
488792
Depends on how well the learn they language or their new residence.  I lived as an ex-pat for 5 years and after becoming fluent in the local language found myself thinking and even dreaming in my new tongue.\nThere is a point in learning a new language where keeping a running translation in ones head is just too slow.  I would shift between thinking in one or the other language as the situation merited.  Usually without conscious choice, it was easier to think in the language I was using at the time.
63995
I started out slow, learning the pronounciations and stuff. Then first and second declension nouns, first and second conjugation verbs. Then we got harder. Now we are learning imperatives. I won't translate documents for several years.
439598
Sorry, but you may not want to hear this, but mastery of the language comes from reading, not studying grammar.  If you read a lot then your ability will grow in grammar and spelling.\n\nThough I don't believe there is a true standard in our language, because it is ever changing.  None of us speak old English, middle English, or even early modern English.
44621
Language learning is easier at an early age because the brain is still actively diciphering english words. You hear kids say lieberry, instead of library and think, aww cute, but we take advantage of our skill to extract the pieces of the word when we say it. Kids constantly work to do this and at first their speech is a little muddy and hard to understand.
575824
No, but I wish you luck. You may try buying some language tapes to help you.
277969
Language ability only improves with practice. They want to make sure the test taker is continuing with his or her English studies. A lot can be forgotten in 2 years if someone doesn't continue to practice.
303163
English is widely reputed to be the most difficult language in the world to learn.  Yes, lots of people speak it, but the best speakers are those who come from countries where the schools teach English from the first grade or earlier, and they typically study for eight years or more.
226811
I agree that language changes over the years. However, it doesn't change that fast! \nI think it's ok to use slang when you're among friends or writting to friends. But even among young people, it's sometimes difficult to understand one another as some people have a different ideas as to what a slang word means.\n\nSomeone said that language evolves. Final. But then he went on criticising people who couldn't express themselves to such an extent that their questions couldn't be understood. Well, it's usually linked to poor grammar. I agree that vocabulary changes, but it takes longer for grammar to change. And grammar is the backbone of communication.\n\nPS: that's why, when you study another language, teachers tend to emphasize the importance of grammar whereas vocabulary can be learnt more easily on your own.
468091
you're getting older so you understand more about things and the more you understand the slower its going to seem
507804
How much do you want to know?\n\nUsually by one year you should have knowledge of some basic French. By two or three years you should be able to write and read in it well.  If you're surrounded by French people, you should learn French faster. \n\nHowever, learning French is a lifelong process... this goes for any language.
213611
I really depends on if you are auditory (learn better by hearing and speaking) or visual (learn better by reading and writing). \n\nI feel that many auditory students have trouble learning. I was that way. I was working just to make 'C's in High School and the beginning of College. One day I was driving to school and I realized that I knew every word to the music I was singing. I didn't even try to memorize the music. \n\nI though I wish I could do the same with my school work. Well I ended up reading my whole chapters to tape. Then I listened to the tape again and again. Remember I learn better by listening, so when I am reading I don't learn as well. That means that when I am reading the book to tape I am not learning as much. Later when I listen to the tape, I learned a lot better.\n\nTry it, tell me how it goes.
413812
Could be very easy ; if you do that :\n1- learn it as quickly as possibe ( I mean age ) .\n2- Go learn it in the country of the language . ( lonely ) .\n3- read newspaper ; daily .\n4- watch Tv .\n5- talk with people ; all times ( No shame ) .\nBut you must know that a language depend on 2 things :\n1-Skill 2-love .
516040
It depends a lot on the individual learner, and what exactly they have to remember about the letters and/or the numbers. Everyone has learning preferences - things that help that individual learn/remember things better - and each person is unique. After over 15 years of teaching, I've yet to find that there's anything that's easier or harder for everyone --- it always depends on the individual learner.
498757
Did you know new immigrants from all over the world have a much more difficult time assimilating?  Its their children and later generations who ALWAYS assimilate......Its very difficult learning a new language, but that doesn't mean later generations will NOT learn the language and culture....
12531
Usualy learning a foreign language that belongs to a linguistic group completely different from the languages you already learned before , takes at least 6-8 month if living in the society talking that language ( in this example english ) and having mass media in that language ,and will take much more , approximately twice as long , that's mean 1 year to 18 months if living in a society talking another language than the learning one or living in your homeland . \n    As less you talk another language than the learning one , as soon will you be able to learn the new language .