This might also explain why learning a 2nd language is usually harder than the 1st, and why getting rid of, or changing, an accent is so hard. All that time invested in those old neural circuits, better make use of those first.
I'm still not convinced learning a 2 language is harder, even as an adult. I now know 3 and if you put some effort and time (or even better get immersed) you will learn it. Children have YEARS of amazing immersion, adult patience and care. Who wouldn't learn a language in such fertiile conditions.
As for the accent which i have, i don't know yet. I will try to correct it and see how it goes.
The step from one language to two is much, much larger than the step from two to three or beyond. I did this seriously for the first time when I was 21/22, and it was initially difficult to get used to the concept of thinking not in terms of the temporal order in which words are introduced (i.e. the syntax of the language in which you are speaking) or at least shifting your process to generate sentences on the fly in a new order. In my experience (native English, learned German) I had a relatively smooth transition but even so it was difficult not to construct sentences as I spoke in the typical English construction. Once you get comfortable with shutting off that reflex to formulate thoughts according to the syntax and vocabulary of your own language, learning language becomes a lot smoother. This reflex is of course more strongly burned-in the older one gets due to the decrease in neuroplasticity as we age.
Kids have incredible motivation and time far beyond any adult.
If you spent 1 hour a day learning a new language most people would consider you a dedicated language learner, but a child spends almost every waking our in contact with language.
Children also have to keep up with their peers and siblings (and adults after a little while).
If I had unlimited money I'd love to do a research project with adults in full immersion environments similar to what children experience for years at a time with no chance to 'run away' to their native language.
