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When learning a foreign language, you really need a native speaker for a teacher, ideally from a dominant area (e.g. Paris for French, London for English) 

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When learning a foreign language, you really need a native speaker for a teacher, ideally from a dominant area (e.g. Paris for French, London for English) 

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Yes, when learning a foreign language, you do require a native for a teacher when studying at a high academic level, for instance, post-A-Level. Yet, I do not believe this is required prior to this stage although there are clear pros of such, for example, a native could be considered to speak more correctly - with all the colloquial words and other specific characteristics of a certain geographical area. But one could argue that such language could affect the standard of the language studied at a lower level, for instance, colloquial language could become more used than formal language which could, in turn, could affect the learner’s formality especially in terms of job opportunities, etc.

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There are very different opinions about this topic. Some say it is only a matter of time and will to learn a new language, others — that it is a skill one can develop over time. However, in reality it is rather a mixture of both. The process of learning a new language in theory does not require any additional knowledge. This is why for children, who in fact are tabula rasa, learning from their parents how to talk comes almost instinctively. For adults the difficulty lies in their primary knowledge. When one is learning a second language it becomes significantly different because our brain struggles to switch the thought process from one language to another. In short — language learning is something one should do based on the instinct rather than academic knowledge. At the same time this does not mean that if a person is put in a country where everybody speaks his targeted language that he will instantly learn it without any problems. This happens exactly because learning the second language is not the same as learning the first one. Hence in order to learn a foreign language successfully we need to focus on instincts and logic — that is to say learn grammar. But any person who overcomes the initial barrier is able to learn a new language.

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Children are far better at learning languages than adults.

It is generally accepted that it is easier for children to learn languages, as they are more receptive to new things, and every aspect of their lives is made up of new experiences that they naturally get used to and learn. From birth, babies make rapid neural connections and can distinguish between voices from their first words at the age of around 2 years. They use every stimulus available to them to mimic the languages that are around them[1], and they are able to use this acquired language creatively. These are known as the critical years in a child’s development.[2] As such, children, particularly those under the age of 5 are extremely receptive to learning languages, unlike adults, for whom it is more of a challenge, as they lack this openness in their learning to be able to untrain their brain around grammar and language rules in their native language. This is because they already have distinct ideas and basis in phonology, phonetics, vocabulary and syntax in their native language. Similarly, unlike young children who can easily pick up a near native accent in a second language, because adults already have a natural accent and way of speaking, this is less likely to be the case, therefore distinguishing the difference between someone who learnt a language as a child and someone who learnt as an adult.

[1] Skinner 1950s
[2] Penfield 1959

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Linguistics Blog Post - Why you don’t need to learn a language ‘perfectly’ in order to use it

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Children are far better at learning languages than adults

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Interesting that you would phrase this rather negatively. You could have also done it differently, and focussed on the possibilities, i.e. the langauge opens a door to x, y and z, but yes, you have to make an effort. You can also explain how you need cultural knowledge in order to 'function' in a language. Think of 'sociolinguistic competence' for example. make sure you include scholarly sources as well, and think of a good title.