Why do people think that only kids can learn new accents?

Question

Most people incorrectly think that only children are capable of learning new sounds. It's true that children are able to pick up new sounds more naturally, but adults have similar capabilities. The problem is regular English teachers have no idea how to help adults hear subtle sound differences. Only English teachers specifically trained in pronunciation know how to give listening training.

In an experiment conducted on Japanese ESL learners, researchers found that adults were able to hear sound differences they couldn't hear before when they were given proper listening training exercises. The adults could hear 80% better than before as long as they were given listening training with feedback. Isn't that amazing? I've found with my students that after a little bit of listening training they are able to hear differences they couldn't hear before in minutes. They are always amazed at their new superpower!

Answer 1

The number 1 factor that determines success in this area is the underlying talent of the student. This particular skill, in my experience, is similar to musical talent. We cannot change the talent we are born with, but we can learn techniques that may or may not lead to improved pronunciation. The technique that clicks for each student will also vary and may change based on other variables (held constant or changing).

Answer 2

When it comes to speaking a language, children have this natural ability to acquire a native accent, or the flow of meaningful conversations in the target language. That may be due to what Stephen Krashen (1987) expressed in his Theory of Second Language Acquisition, the "learned system" vs the "acquired system." Children acquire a language effortlessly and subconsciously through "comprehensible Input" as a baby adopts and takes on a language. Conversely, adults are more on the learned system spectrum, which is more formal and reposes on grammar rules, syntax, morphology, etc. Thus, the difference between language acquisition and language learning. Children pick up an accent much faster than adults through acquisition. No stress, no responsibilities, all fun for them for them!

Answer 3

When babies are born, they respond to all language sounds. However, as they learn to speak, they begin to filter out "insignificant" sounds in their language. If we can't hear or distinguish a sound, we can't replicate it. With much repetition and concentration, a nonnative speaker can begin to hear these sounds and eventually reproduce them. It takes time.

Here's an example: in English, we don't distinguish between a single and double "r." We just pronounce the "r" the same way. However, in Spanish the tapped singular "r" is distinguished from the trilled "r." "Pero" and "perro" are different words. ("But" and "dog.")