How kids become bilingual so easily (Full Version)

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fiery -> How kids become bilingual so easily (8/1/2009 12:52:16 AM)

I've always wondered how that was possible for a brain to wrap around that. This is really interesting!

quote:

The best time to learn a foreign language: Between birth and age 7. Missed that window?

New research is showing just how children's brains can become bilingual so easily, findings that scientists hope eventually could help the rest of us learn a new language a bit easier.
"We think the magic that kids apply to this learning situation, some of the principles, can be imported into learning programs for adults," says Dr. Patricia Kuhl of the University of Washington, who is part of an international team now trying to turn those lessons into more teachable technology.


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Wherefore -> RE: How kids become bilingual so easily (8/24/2009 3:34:19 PM)

I had always heard that kids in the early development stage have very mutable brains and pick up language easier than our older less changeable brains can.  It's still very amazing that kids can be bilingual so early.



fiery -> RE: How kids become bilingual so easily (1/16/2010 8:02:32 PM)

I knew a lady that was South African and she was brought up to speak both Afrikaans and English. I asked her what language she thought in, and she said if she was spoken to in Afrikaans, she thought in Afrikaans and if it was English, she thought in English. Incredible. :) Especially since I can barely string a coherent sentence together some days with only one language to think about! [:(]



ChristineB -> RE: How kids become bilingual so easily (1/18/2010 9:32:11 AM)

Lol, me too!  AJ has picked up quite a few in Spanish though.  Diego and Dora help, but what's funny is the words actually stay with him, where I forget them in 2 minutes.



fiery -> RE: How kids become bilingual so easily (1/21/2010 5:12:47 PM)

That's great! Smart boy. As you'd said he's gifted so I guess you'll need to get used to those kinds of things happening a lot. :) I think kids learn best when they don't feel pressured too.



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