The Best Way to Learn a Language

Language is a very special skill that appears to be gifted only to the human race on this earth. Other species of living beings may be having their own ways of communication. But the language as we understand is so special and sophisticated tool used by only the humans. Yet most of us take it as granted as we learn it in our childhood. As per some sources, there are about 6,500 spoken languages in the world. Many people know more than one language - for various reasons like an academic interest, just a hobby, to impress others, or to gain an advantage during travel or business etc. Accordingly, learners of languages are spread across all age groups and demographics.

The question that comes to every language learner: what is the best or fastest way to learn a language? Just like most of the questions in life, there is no definitive answer for this one too. Experts differ widely on this matter. Let us look at these main views here.

Language learning could involve one or more of the four skills - listening (and understanding), speaking, reading and writing. And there could be various approaches to master these skills depending on one's goals and interest.

The Baby-Way

Some experts say the easiest way to learn a language is "follow the baby-way". Babies learn a language by continuously listening to the words spoken around them and by picking up the visual clues by associating the actions happening with those words. And they start repeating the words to improve the communication with those around them. (At least, this is the theory. There is no decisive way to know how baby brains work). So the steps in this learning process are:

Listen and See -> Speak -> Read -> Write

A new-born baby usually starts to speak its first words in about 10 months, after seeing and listening to thousands of show and tell sequences during that period. The experts professing this method emphasize that this is the natural way - even for adults. They debunk the theory that more the age, it is more difficult to learn a new language. Per them, any person can learn a language quickly by following this progression.

The Adult-Way

The other group of experts identify the differences between the way babies learn a language and the challenges faced by adults. They also refer to the studies that indicate the decrease in the language-learning abilities as a person gets older. The main reason for this challenge is that an adult mind is no more a baby's mind - not as clean and receptive. During the course of time, the brain gets wired, influenced by numerous factors - like culture, geography, education, experience, and other languages already learnt. That does not mean it is difficult to learn a language at a later stage in life. Instead, the experts of this group advise the learners to take advantage of their adulthood. They say that unlike a baby, making use of skills they possess - like reading/writing and the tools they have access to  - like books, teachers, groups, online resources etc, would actually speed up the learning and quickly get past the initial show-and-tell confusions of language constructs.

Read (books) ->    Person   <- See (actions/videos)
Write (papers) ->                <- Speak (teachers/group)

The Best Way?
So, is there one way better than the other? Language is an art and there is no good or bad way for learning it. Probably, a learner has to try a combination of approaches, keeping in mind the purpose of learning, time available, different resources accessible and what works for self. Adapt and improvise as one progresses through this journey.