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
never quit
- I really really really want to learn another language. I have been trying to learn Spanish for 13 years! I am 40 now and still determined. I am told that Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn, but I believe that lack of practice is what holds me back. If you want to try it - do it, what have you to lose? I will keep going until I can hold fluent conversations, and then I will learn french and italian!
- —Guest Gary_B
Profe
- Easy or not, do it anyway. I teach Spanish to adults and have many elderly students, one was 90. It is so good for your brain that even very elderly people are taking it for that benefit alone.
- —Guest Nora
Not too old
- Iam 84 and I am doing well in Spanish. Wish you could hear me!
- —walterhall
Terrible accent
- Thanks for the encouragement because I am 61 and just starting to learn Spanish. This sounds terrible because I live in Miami and have lived here for over 30 years. I do not hear the Spanish spoken around me. I "tune it out" which is unfortunate. When I first moved to Miami, I was enthusiastic about learning Spanish and attended classes. I was too ashamed to speak aloud in class with my Southern accent. I quit studying and stopped hearing Spanish. One day I was at a dressing room and the salesperson told me that I could only take "seis" items in the room and I did not how many item she meant. That did it for me. Now I am focused and ready to learn. I am still concerned about my accent but I will worry about that later. I feel like a person who has just learned to read when I notice signs in Spanish that have always been there that I have not noticed before such as "cerrado" (I hope that it correct). Thanks everybody for the encouragement.
- —chrisinmiami
Not at all!
- I took an online class called Speed Spanish. In six weeks I learned more than in two painful years of college, decades ago! I'm now taking Speed Spanish 2, and having a ball. I treated myself to lunch at a Mexican restaurant today -- one in which all of the employees are Spanish speakers. I ordered in Spanish, and even engaged in a LITTLE bit of small talk! BTW, I'm 59!
- —Guest CarolL
Don't give up!
- Hey, 56-year-old guy! I do believe learning may be harder, but so rewarding! I try to watch the Spanish news, even though I can't understand most of it. Also, some days I listen to the Spanish radio station while driving to work. I practice the phrases that I learned 30 years ago in junior high with a coworker. I really am trying to move beyond my limited and basic vocabulary, though some days I feel like giving up. I am not quitting! This has been a goal for so many years, I may as well keep trying. Keep us posted on your progress. Just trying to learn is really good for your brain!
- —Guest JamieSommers
Started at age 64
- I began to study Spanish when I was 64 years old, more than 15 years ago. And now, after great effort and much fun, I am quite fluent. I speak Spanish to students in the school where I volunteer, and, as a physician who also studied medical Spanish, I can take care of Spanish speakers in the clinic where I volunteer without having to call an interpreter. Spanish has been great fun, a marvelous exercise for my aging brain, and one of the main pleasures of my old age. You can teach yourself using Spanish.about.com and other Internet resources.
- —Guest JohninAZ
Never too old.
- I am nearly 80 and got up to Everyday Spanish Intermediate by using the UK free lessons on the internet. Now going to the local college to continue as I thoroughly enjoy learning the language. Age is no barrier to learning. I holiday in Spain and there it is appreciated when you try using their language and do not expect them to know yours. Adios mis amigos.
- —Guest Cestrian
Never too old
- I'm 61 and ready to retire in the near future. Two years ago, I found my high school "gramática" Curso Moderno de Espanol by Pittaro & Green and started reviewing. While I know my verb tenses,etc.,and can handle reading spanish without any problems, I do need more practice speaking the language in conversational sessions. It's sometimes embarassing but most Spanish-speaking people appreciate the effort. My wife thought I was crazy learning another language until our recent trip to Cuba when my scant knowledge came in handy. I did find that most Cubans speak far too fast at first for me to understand. Next destination? España!
- —Guest Guest John
Age is not that important
- Sure, children learn their language well. But at the age of 6, after 6 years of total immersion, and no jobs to do, bills to pay, etc., they still have very limited vocabularies. I think adults can learn just as well, provided they spend the hours a child would. I even think you can have a good accent, if your teacher is a native speaker, not an English speaker who "knows" Spanish. And even if you can't immerse yourself, if you spend 2-3 hours a day watching telenovelas and doing Spanish courses in your car or online, in a few years, you can become pretty fluent. For me, the hours spent learning Spanish are total enjoyment!
- —Ringcycle
Never too old!
- Greetings from New Zealand. I am 82 in October and am studying Spanish at Massey University. I am working towards a B.A. in that language. I have only three more papers to go, I find that one's brain still works just fine if you believe it can - and the only drawback is that I get tired more quickly than when I was much younger. Listening to Spanish music prior to studying will get the r.lobe and the left lobe of the brain working in harmony and I do find that the odd cup of tea helps enormously! Un saludo a todos. Isabetta
- —Guest Isabetta
My biggest enemy
- I've been learning Spanish for 12 months. I'm 52. It's not my age that's the problem, it's lack of "time". You need so much practice, practice, practice don't you? Annie.
- —Guest Annie from Australia
Is isn't easy but it can be done
- I live in Mexico during the winter. I attend a Spanish class there twice a week and use my Spanish as much as possible in my daily life. When I get discouraged about not remembering something, I look back at all I have learned that year. At least I am making some progress. I find I need to be exposed to something three times before it has a chance of sticking. BTW, I am 67.
- —Guest Guest Bonita
Re: Am I too Old
- No you are not too old. I am 57 and started learning 4 years ago. Yes it has been hard, but repetition and engaging in conversation helps tone the ear and broaden the vocabulary. After a while you will notice that not only are you understanding more but you are also entering into the conversation more. Keep at it old chap, poco a poco!
- —Guest Ken
It helps to have learned other languages
- I started to learn Spanish at 70. As I can already speak French and German and studied Latin for many years, I found the initial learning fairly easy. My greatest difficulty is understanding when my Mexican friends speak at their usual rapid rate. Otherwise I can hold a fairly decent conversation. You are NEVER too old to learn anything new in my opinion.
- —Guest anneli
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