To think it will be impossible to learn another language at 40 without living in that country?

[Hangeron]

Or at least very, very difficult? I am considering learning my DH's language and I would love to hear of some success stories to encourage me.

I am monolingual and have never had a gift for languages, but I do passionately want to learn this language so I can pass it onto my DC.

My lecturer always said the best way to learn a language was flat on your back. Surprised you haven't attempted before.

Of course you can learn! You just need a good teacher, someone to practise with, patience and determination!

I'm concerned about my age and bad memory! And also the fact I won't have anyone most days to speak with - DH works away during the week.

Have you learnt another language as an adult?

I'm learning my DH's language for the same reason. I'm finding it much easier than when I did languages at school or uni because having a native speaker to talk to/listen to outside lessons really does make a difference. And my DS who is better than me now helps me out too

Not impossible, might take a while to jog your brain into learning mode but very doable. Living somewhere is a brilliant fast track bit not nessecary. Have you considered watching movies etc in the new language, with subtitles on in English, to get a bit more exposure while learning?

I learned two new languages in my thirties without visiting either country. Studying was pretty intensive though. Also both were somewhat similar to languages I already knew. But yes I do think its possible, definitely.

However, I think success will depend massively on what the language is and what sort of resources are available.

Mil is learning french in her 60s

Hard but not impossible. Have a look at duolingo, it is amazing what it teaches you and it's free. I am fast making progress in French.

Totally depends on how much effort you put in. All you are doing is making new connections in your brain - and the more you practice the more you will make the connections.

If DH speaks it then he can help, and lots of resources online now - so much easier than in the past.

Pretty much depends on how much you want to. Good luck.

Of course you can do it.

Go for it!

I was v good at learning languages at school, found it easy. In my 40s I tried to learn my DP's mother tongue,from one of those CD courses. I found it very very hard, the vocab just wouldn't stick in my brain, so stopped.

Also my reason for trying to learn was so that I could have a 'proper' conversation with my lovely MIL when we go to visit, but DP pointed out that to have a in depth conversation I'd have to learn for years. When we visit, MIL and I manage to understand each other most of the time anyway (I understand the gist of what she's saying most of the time, and vice versa).

It's definitely not impossible, but much harder than as a child.

I have always been hopeless at learning languages but found Michel Thomas lessons actually worked pretty well for me.

Dh needs to speak to dc in only his language. He is the one who can pass it on to them, not you or they will learn it with an English accent and mistakes. However if he does that you will learn it along with your dc.

Another big thing would be to find a friend who also speaks that language as 1st language then make the most of practising with her. I'm good at learning languages and my big tip is to practise whatever you learn over and over. Find natives to keep asking what their fave colour is, if they have any brothers and sisters or whatever you are learning at that moment. That's how we learnt our mother tongue... lots and lots of repetition.