Re: How does a baby learn language, when learning requires concentration a

Peter T. Daniels wrote:
Ruud Harmsen wrote:
Mon, 27 Nov 2006 20:15:24 -0500: penguinsare@xxxxxxxxx (Penguins Are):
in sci.lang:

How does a baby learn language, when learning requires concentration and
focus,

It doesn't.

and a baby is too little to do either?

They always say, you missed what was being discussed if you didn't
concentrate, but a baby is too little to concentrate yet picks up detail
after detail and learns to talk gramatically.

I listen to Portuguese radio (music + interspersed comments,
interviews and commercials) almost all day, without concentrating,
because I am doing something else or even working. Yet, some phrases,
especially from commercials, clearly because they are repeated to
often, stick in my brain, I sometimes suddenly think of them, while
waking up for example (with the radio off, that is, or to a Dutch
station, because PT radio is only accessible via internet).

That way I learn about native ways to express things, about word
order, about conjugations that "sound natural". I suppose this is
exactly how children learn.

Really?? Did you learn to speak Portuguese with no input other than
passive radio listening???
How old did you say you are????

I agree. The key element for adults to learning a foreign language is
to receive and to pass on *valuable information* by using exclusively
this language.

It's my own definition based on my personal experience. So I wouldn't
be surprised, if others claimed differently.

Regards,
Igor

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Radio 4 and World Service
    ... I need to concentrate on the radio to ... There has been much reportage this morning of some apparently ... previously-unknown giant self-destructing palm trees in Madagascar. ... I hear or half hear on the radio in the middle of the night and then lie ...
    (uk.media.radio.archers)
  • Re: How does a baby learn language, when learning requires concentration a
    ... concentrate, but a baby is too little to concentrate yet picks up detail ... I listen to Portuguese radio (music + interspersed comments, ... interviews and commercials) almost all day, without concentrating, ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: {OT} DAB: A very British failure
    ... better at radio so I ebayed it. ... And have you ever tried listening to ... all manner of stations in high quality and it worked everywhere (well, ... you're not captive and you can concentrate on it ...
    (uk.comp.sys.mac)
  • Re: How does a baby learn language, when learning requires concentration a
    ... concentrate, but a baby is too little to concentrate yet picks up detail ... I listen to Portuguese radio (music + interspersed comments, ... interviews and commercials) almost all day, without concentrating, ... their language learning ability drops. ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: First Group train drivers and mobile comms devices
    ... you'd normally have to concentrate more on a cab radio call than ... The rule book states that "You must not use the radio when the train ... are approaching a red signal! ...
    (uk.railway)