Why Adults Learn Languages Faster Than Kids

Send us Fan MailWe unpack why L1 and L2 learning differ, where adult learners can excel, and how to use child‑like methods without buying the myth of effortlessness. Along the way we revisit the critical period, language intuition, and practical tools like nursery rhymes for better input.• L1 dominance, age of acquisition, and processing speed• Near‑native performance vs intuition in lab tests• Why the critical period applies to L1, not adult L2• Transfer from L1 shaping L2 learning paths• Kids’ advantages: fearlessness, repetition, support• Adult strengths: strategy, focus, deliberate practice• Using nursery rhymes and skits for prosody and chunks• Cultural cues missing from beginner textbooks• Building your own support system and routinesThe best way to support the show is to recommend it to friends, rate us on whatever podcast listening app you are using, subscribe to our YouTube channel and check out our Patreon for more.ReferencesAbrahamsson, Niclas & Hyltenstam, Kenneth. (2008). The robustness of aptitude effects in near-native second language acquisition. Studies in Second Language Acquisition. 30. 481 - 509. 10.1017/S027226310808073X. RecommendationsFrom a future episode on the effectiveness of nursery rhymes on L2 acquisitionDokodemo Jamboree Colormixing Synapusyu Okaasan to IsshoBonus: This was uploaded after I recorded this months episode but please also enjoy Jackie Chan’s City Pop Album Jackie Chan – 無問題 (No Problem) Vinyl Rip Support the showThanks for listening to Like My Anime! If you enjoyed the show, don't forget to subscribe, share it, or leave a review — it helps more people find the podcast!Watch episodes & extra content (eventually) on YouTube: 🔗 Like My Anime YouTube ChannelMusic: SUMMER TRIANGLE by Sharou