Second language learning

In this day and age of the global economy, it is becoming increasingly desirable to be fluent in more than one language. Unfortunately, most of us do not have particularly fond memories ofleaming a foreign language. Typically, we struggled mightily to master Spanish, French, German, or whatever, starting in middle school and ending mercifully at high school graduation. In fact, if we did not need to have those classes as part of our academic record when applying to upper level colleges, we probably would have preferred to avoid them altogether.

It is interesting to note that our difficulties were not the result of inevitable problems inherent in language learning. Instead, they were due to the occasional tendency of the public schools to ignore fundamental principles of human development. In the case of conquering a foreign tongue, it was not so much a matter of tackling a tough topic as it was an exercise in bad timing.

It seems clear that human beings have a special knack for learning language, and it has been theorized that our brains are pre-wired for picking up vocabulary, grammar, syntax, etc. It is like our computer comes with the relevant software pre-installed. And during the first years of life, this wiring is extraordinarily flexible and efficient.

Whether it is Japanese or Portuguese, Swedish or Swahili, Flemish or Farsi, infants and toddlers quickly, easily, and quite effectively learn to understand and speak whatever language they are exposed to.

Furthermore, when very young children are exposed to two languages, they manage to pick up both with virtually no problems. Although they may be a bit slow in reaching some of the standard language development...