Adult learning - Module 9

C1 Advanced · Cross Text Multiple Matching · Advanced Expert Coursebook, Pearson Education

You are going to read four blogs on the subject of adult learning. For questions 1–4, choose from the bloggers (A-D). The bloggers may be chosen more than once.

It’s true that recent studies have made a persuasive case for the contribution the environment and the learner’s attitude can make when it comes to learning a foreign language. However, this doesn’t really contradict my main point that humans have this inbuilt facility to acquire language up to a certain age. A child’s brain has a separate area, known as a ‘speech centre’, for each language it hears, which means immigrant kids, for example, pick up a new language as easily as breathing, while their parents, who no longer have this inborn ability, often have to learn in a conventional teaching situation and unfortunately tend to struggle. True, some older adults have a special facility for learning languages but that’s down to an unusual talent and shouldn’t be seen as typical.

In my view, the idea that the mind seizes up with age is overrated. If there was a critical period for learning say a language or a musical instrument, everyone would be affected equally, but they’re not. Even as the brain ages, it possesses amazing powers to adapt quickly to a learning experience. In terms of language, what most people forget is that a child’s whole social network is organised around the language and people are more likely to speak to them in clear simple sentences, exaggerating key points. And yet older adults shouldn’t be discouraged. They can learn, for example, a musical instrument or even a language conventionally, and do even better than younger learners if they immerse themselves in the experience, focus on where they need to improve – something children are reluctant to do – and practise small bits at a time until they get them right.

You often hear it said that there is a critical period in childhood in which complex skills are best learnt, but what often stops adults progressing is their desire to be perfectionist. Instead of throwing themselves into tasks, observing and copying others, taking risks, too many of them break their learning into segments and worry about their weaknesses, and when they fail, they lose heart and give up. And yet they are always much more effective as learners when they look more at their overall performance. Golfers, instead of worrying about the position of their hands, should focus on their swing, and singers on the tone of their voice rather than the position of their tongue. In other words, adult learners need to shift their mindset and their teachers need to give them praise and general feedback, not over-detailed analysis.

I don’t know why some people are so negative about the mental skills of older adults. It’s true that as our nervous system starts to weaken so our ability to learn is more restricted, but even the very aged can improve the performance of their brain, which is a much more flexible organ than people think. Mental skills respond very well to improved physical fitness, which adults need to build up bit by bit. Even walking can make our minds more alert and improve our attention span. Children are much more physically active than adults and if we are to match them mentally, we need to get closer to matching them physically. Of course, early skills training, for instance in sports, music or languages, is much more effective early in life because certain aspects of a child’s mental capacity are more responsive to change at this age and can absorb things more readily. Personal qualities such a willingness to take risks also play a role, probably much more than environmental factors, like the learning situation.

Adult learning

expresses a similar view to Blogger A about the advantages that children are born with in relation to learning

expresses a less positive view than the others about the ability of adults to learn

disagrees with the others about the relative advantages children have when learning

has a different opinion from Blogger B regarding the way in which adult learners could improve their potential for learning

Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.

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