Myth check
If you didn’t start as a child, it’s too late.
Adults learn efficiently with deliberate practice and better metacognition.
Verdict
mostly_false
Why
Children may acquire accent more easily; adults can still reach strong communicative skill.
Motivation and hours matter more than a mythical closed window.
Pronunciation can improve at any age with feedback Keep evidence from your own listening and speaking practice, not from fear stories.
Test the better framing with a short practice drill the same day you read this myth.
Better framing
Start now with short daily loops rather than waiting for perfect conditions.
Practice tip
Practice tip: after reading “If you didn’t start as a child, it’s too late.”, do one concrete drill from the better framing—speak aloud for five minutes using related words or tones.