General Writing Task 2 #2
You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.
Write about the following topic:
Some people think children are more successful in foreign language studies than adults. Discuss.
Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.
Write at least 250 words.

Answer1:

Nowadays, many people believe that you should be young to learn some foreign language because when a person become older, he or she lose the ability to study fast and sufficient. Others, however, disagree with this statement. In this essay I will duscuss both sides of the topic prior drawing a conclusion.

The first thing that should be noted is that children usually tend to training and always happy to learn something new. In addition, modern education methodics often turn potentially boring studies to a game; this undoubtedly helps little pupils to learn a new material.

Furthermore, according to recent researches, children who come from multilangual families almost always end up fluently speaking three or even more languages. So, it is true to be said that an early start in studying foreign languages is often unvaluable.

At the same time, an adult who is willing to learn a foreign language encounters with numerous problems. First of all, it is a lack of time. The studies are very difficult and you have to work to make a living at the same time. Furthermore, the games that have so effective impact on children, here of no use. For instance, my uncle had started learning Spanish last year and eventually gave it up because of difficulties during the studies.

There is no doubt that busy adults would prefer a rest after work than sitting in a class with a tutor.

Considering all these points I would say that there is no doubt that a child would be tougth more effectively than an adult just besause of the differences of the types of educational programs and, in addition, due to the fact that in the modern, constantly changing world adults often could not afford themselves spend enough time studying.

Answer2:

Most people would claim that adults are poor at languages and say that children have clear memories, more adaptability and more porous minds. It has been found that under controlled conditions, adults can be much better at learning languages. However, there are different ways that adults are strong or even stronger than children.

Firstly, adults have a pre-existing knowledge of languages. Adults have much improved skills of how language functions, while children continue studying the mechanics of their own first language. Adults also know how to construct sentences and have better sense of spelling and punctuation but in children these skills are yet to develop.

Secondly, adults have great conceptual knowledge of language. They are much adept to finding the patterns, which proves they have more skills at applying and reducing language rules. Honestly, pronunciation is stronger in children but it really does mot matter. They are good at mimicking original sounds and different patterns at pre-adolescence, therefore, it is difficult for old language students to speak without an accent.

Thirdly, children and adults are measured differently. Children use small vocabularies and simple syntax than adults, therefore, it lowers their fluency standards. Communication in adults is complicated because they are expected to talk about a broader range of different topics and go more in depth than children. Adults need more vocabulary and competent language so as to be considered fluent and because of such greater expectations, they typically have much inhibitions about speaking foreign languages.

In general, adults and children both can succeed with similar resources which is a case of opportunity. Children who study languages in schools have benefits of organizing curriculums,a trained teacher and access to education materials like foreign language books, games and videos. Similarly, an adult language student studies languages successfully.