From the article: Am I Too Old To Learn Spanish?
The ideal time to start learning a foreign language is well before going to kindergarten, but if you're reading this those days are past. There may be no time like the present, but is the present too late if you're pushing 30 or 50 or 70? If you're in one of those age brackets, or know someone who is, here's your opportunity to offer advice on learning Spanish. Share Your Exeriences
I'm learning
- I am 62 and just now learning Spanish. Until I can take a formal course, I'm doing Pimsleur and Spanish Immersion lessons. It's not simple but I love learning.
- —Guest Pamela49
Immersion is the key
- I am 50 and started studying Spanish when I was 47. The magical word is immersion -- go to a Hispanic country and do coursework there, only communicate in Spanish (should be easy because many people there do not speak other languages), and watch the news, read papers, etc. Reserve time for memorizing typical issues in the language such as indefinido vs. imperfecto, subjuntivo and the many expressions the native speakers use. I managed to have the highest grades in class among many youngsters, but I had the feeling that it took me more effort than them. At 50 your brain does not function as it did when you were 20.
- —Guest eva
Tough but possible
- I'm 46 and have been trying to learn Spanish for three years. At times I've felt like I was getting nowhere and I even wondered whether I had an undetected learning disability, but I hung in there and now I have enough vocabulary where I feel like I'm making steady progress. It's definitely a long road but well worth it. And it does make a difference if you try to immerse yourself as much as possible: watch television in Spanish, read newspaper articles and simple books, listen to Spanish music, etc. For a while it will seem impenetrable, and then one day you realize how much you know!
- —Guest scdesilva
Good way to stay alert
- Zest for learning ... challenging your brain cells ... that's what will keep us young and mentally alert. I'm 71 and am starting to get a grip on Spanish. and that's taken me over a year! (Or two!)
- —Guest Sister Michael Mary Kean
Learning with prayer
- I am 44. I don't care what people say, I am bent on learning the language and I will. Just do it. Focus on applying the language to something you adore. I chose the prayers of my Catholic Church. I learned and memorized the "Our Father." That helped me tremendously. I never dreamed I could memorize something like that, but I put it on my phone and read it several times daily and to and from work for several weeks and viola, I can say the whole "Our Father" in Spanish now. :) I am now working on the Nicene Creed next. I think this is the best way to learn ... because you are praying while you learn! :)) Buena suerte, friends!
- —Guest Mark
Plan on rewarding myself for success
- I enjoyed and appreciated all of the upbeat advice and encouragement. I am 63 and have just started to try again to learn Spanish. I will incorporate the hints given: listening to telenovelas, music, online websites, interactive CDs and trying to travel to the more heavily Spanish populated areas to have more exposure, newspapers. There may be a chance for me to actually learn. If I do I plan to reward myself with a trip. Start saving my pennies now!
- —briheja
Trying hard this time
- Thanks, Betty! I too have been trying to learn for years, off and on. Started again at the same age and I hope I haven't waited to long.
- —briheja
Living in South Ameica
- My take on learning another language in your late 40’s: As a child, the city of language is being built in your brain. In my case, all the builders were English, so they built a strong infrastructure structure of nouns, verbs, infinitives, conjunctions, etc. As I became an adult, they were proud of their large vocabulary city. BUT then one day, the Spaniards started trying to moving in. The English were not too happy about this, especially since it wasn't just a fact of learning a few new words, the Spaniards wanted to change the structure, and the way words were used. The English resisted with all their might, telling the government of the city that it made so sense to say things in that way. But the city council tried to convince the English residents that it was necessary since the body was now living in a place that didn't speak English. But still the English resisted but slowly the English started coming around, allowing the Spanish to coexist with them.
- —Guest John B
It's fun when you notice you're learning
- I've been studying Spanish on and off. Now that I'm retired I study and read every day. Now I'm beginning to notice some words of Spanish speakers. Now its becoming fun to study.
- —Guest leon hardaway
Not giving up
- I am so happy to have read all these responses. I am 57 and am trying to learn Spanish. My problem is having someone to actually speak with. I am a total beginner and will keep trying.
- —charliefarley55
Don't worry about fluency
- It's been said that learning a language in your advanced years is very beneficial as it keeps your mind active. I wouldn't worry about becoming fluent, which is very difficult even if you start when you are young. Some say it is impossible to fully understand the difference between the preterite and the imperfect to non-native speakers of Spanish and between "ser" and "estar." Sure, you can get a good grasp on their differences but you will never be able fully understand how they are used in all instances. Just learn the best you can and think of the side benefits of learning a language.
- —Guest m
If you're motivated you can learn
- I don't think age is a major or an unsurmountable obstacle to learning the language. i am 63 and still trying/struggling to learn the language, but have to admit retention of words vocabulary, conjugation, verb tenses and moods are often a challenge. (It is a memory issue and not the language per se.) However, if the motivation is right , it provokes interest and interest provokes focus. Learning then follows. Spanish is a beautiful language, la lengua romántica de Cervantes y Leon Ibero. Talking (or daring to talk, correctly or wrongly) and constantly using the language is a way to practice to perfection. I am not giving up. First objective is to learn enough not to get lost in the middle of the road in a Spanish-speaking country. That is my motivation.
- —Guest benjamin
Eventually it make sense
- We only use about 10% of our brains. God wired us so incredibly that our thoughts about what we can and can't do are the only limiting factors. Forget trying to speak, and just listen to massive amounts (thousands of hours) of Spanish all day long ... whenever ... wherever you can. I listen to Mexican talk radio while I sleep. I aim for 100+ hours of Mexican talk radio and TV per month. I usually get 5-6 hours a day, and that isn't enough for me. We learn incorrectly as adults ... become a child again. Don't focus on understanding every word ... listen and enjoy. In some crazy, insane way, after around 800 hours or more, you will start to understand the language. Supplement with Spanish exercises, grammar, vocabulary, etc., but let your main focus be listening to the target language as much as possible. I also recommend listening to the exact area language that you would like to speak. I only listen to Mexican Spanish. I don't want to show up in Mexico sounding like I am from Madrid. Don't quit
- —Guest Tom
Persistence has paid off
- I began studying Spanish when I was 52 years old. I studied for 10 months at Instituto Cervantes and after that with a private teacher for another year. Since then I've been studying on my own by creating the closest thing I can to immersion with reading, writing, speaking and listening daily. I rely heavily on Skype chats. Still, the only thing of importance are results, right? After five years studying mostly on my own (obsessively, I'll admit) I've attained a level below fluency but highly functional and still evolving. I went to Spain for the first time to a region where no one at all spoke English and I had no problems. The key (at least for me) hasn't been age, it's been that I put a lot into it, and the only reason that I do that is because I truly love the Spanish language. And of course, it's very gratifying to be able to speak a second language when for the first 52 years of my life, I could only speak one. I'm 57 now and can say, "I speak Spanish."
- —Guest LC
Not giving up!
- I'm 65 and I am trying to learn Spanish. I won't give up! You have all encouraged me!
- —Guest Nancy
1-15 of 52Next
