| All you have to do is pay attention to literature, the | | | | spent on studying and practicing English, the quicker |
| media, movies, pop culture and the internet to notice | | | | and more thoroughly the language will be learned. This |
| that the English language is quickly becoming | | | | is true of any foreign language that is studied - not |
| something of a universal language. Business | | | | only by adults, but also by youth and children. |
| transactions across borders and over the internet are | | | | Adults Learning English in the U.S. |
| largely conducted in English. International relations and | | | | There are a great number of immigrants, visitors and |
| policy are also commonly carried out in the English | | | | students in the United States who wish to learn to |
| language. For these reasons and many others, it is | | | | speak, read and write English. Below are some things |
| highly beneficial to have at least a somewhat | | | | that are known about the adult English language |
| operating knowledge of English. In fact, English is | | | | student population. |
| widely taught as a second language in countries all | | | | - Native Tongue |
| over the world, including but not limited to: | | | | The majority of individuals who speak a language |
| - Asia | | | | other than English at home speak Spanish (60%). The |
| - Middle East | | | | second most prevalent language is Chinese. The |
| - Europe | | | | remaining eight of the top 10 languages spoken are |
| - Latin America | | | | (in descending order) French, German, Tagalog, |
| Is it Too Late? | | | | Vietnamese, Italian, Korean, and Polish (U.S. Census |
| Students all over the world may be studying English | | | | Bureau, 2003). |
| as a second language - whether it is a requirement or | | | | - Level of Education |
| not, but what about adults? It is common knowledge | | | | Adult English learners have a wide variety of |
| that it is much easier to learn a language when one is | | | | educational backgrounds, ranging from no education |
| very young and still developing early language skills. In | | | | at all to advanced degrees. |
| fact, the very best time to pick up any language is | | | | - Ability to Speak English |
| actually before five years of age. Does this mean | | | | The English speaking ability of adults learning English |
| that it is virtually impossible for anyone over the age | | | | will typically range from low beginning, with means |
| of 5 (or 10 for that matter) to learn a new language | | | | the individual has limited opportunities to use English |
| such as English? The answer is very simple - no. It | | | | outside of class, to high advanced (near native |
| may be a bit more difficult and unnatural for an adult | | | | proficiency). Most English language learners enrolled in |
| to learn English, but it is definitely not too late. It may | | | | adult education programs for English are in beginning |
| require more work, studying and practicing for an | | | | literacy or beginning ESL classes. |
| adult to truly learn English, but it is by no means | | | | Conclusion |
| impossible. | | | | With so many adult students of the English language |
| Factors in Learning | | | | (in the United States and all over the world) it is easy |
| There are many different factors that will influence | | | | to see that learning English as an adult is definitely |
| the level of ease or difficulty each individual will | | | | possible. It is very encouraging to see that no matter |
| experience when learning English as an adult. Some of | | | | what age or station in life one is in, it is never too |
| these include age, disposition, behavioral attitudes, | | | | late to learn even a complicated language such as |
| native language, frequency of practice, etc. Generally | | | | English. |
| speaking, the greater the amount of time that is | | | | |