Language learning starts earlier than expected

[Francis Hult]

Daily Illini.com

 

Language learning starts earlier than expected

 

The common complaint among college students is the language requirements for their major. Taking progressive semesters of a language that they glazed over in high-school is not something that freshmen tend to look forward to, unless they are linguists. 

 

Part of the problem is that they are surrounded by friends, teachers in other classes, and family that only speak English. They are not immersed in the language that they are trying to grasp. The other problem originates much earlier, even before they were born.

 

A study released a little over a week ago in Current Biology states that language learning starts before birth. Language recognition begins before the baby emerges from the womb. It is already common knowledge that babies recognize voices, particularly their Mother's, while still in the womb. 

 

 

Full story:

http://www.dailyillini.com/blogs/different-perspectives/2009/11/13/language-learning-starts-earlier-than-expected

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