To think I can learn a language this late in life?

[SticksAndStoned]

I'm 50. I loved doing French at school, but honestly don't remember too much of it.

I'm thinking of doing university level Spanish, starting at beginners but going to effectively third year Spanish.

I know learning a language is much easier when young. Am I being ridiculous to think I could do this at this age?

I'm in my 40s and started learning Mandarin a few months ago. I haven't got masses of time to spend on it but I'm doing OK.

Of course! Enjoy it!

Go for it.

I’m technically trilingual, Urdu, English and BSL, I’m learning Swedish at the moment (my husbands first language), it is going okay so far. My son is picking it up quite well, but as hes stubborn her refuses to answer in Swedish.

Of course you can do it! Spanish is a great choice, as it's pretty easy. I've been teaching myself Spanish from complete beginner and was due to sit the A Level, but it was cancelled due to covid.

I'm a languages teacher, so tbh it's probably quite a bit easier for me than for the average person. Plus the fact that I'm fluent in French helps, because of the similarities.

My main piece of advice is to do as much listening to the language as you possibly can - it's the next best thing to actually being in the country. I listen to audiobooks and podcasts. I have Audible, whuch allows you to slow the speed down on audiobooks, which is brilliant. I listened to all 7 Harry Potters in Spanish and am now on proper adult books.

Unfortunately I don't think it's true that learning a language is just as easy as an adult - there is a languae acquisition window (before around 11 I think) where it seems that our brains find it easier to learn a language BUT enthusiasm and dedication can often make up for that. Plus part of the fun is the journey and nowadays it is so easy to find programmes, podcasts etc in different languages that it can be quite easy to enjoy the process.
I am 47 and have been having a skype lesson for the past 3 months with a lovely French lady.
How did you get in touch? I have been thinking of looking for a French teacher but don't know where to start.

Could be hard work, I've been learning German for the last 10 years (I live in a German speaking country).

It certainly seems to be slow progress for me, my level is around a-level, but not really sure that is good for 10 years effort!

But there is lots of material out there, YouTube videos, watch Netflix in Spanish etc. It is a shame more people don't make the effort with so many possibilities.

My DH had always wanted to learn a language so when he found out DS1 would be doing Spanish at secondary school he decided to give it a go. That was 7 years ago and he's still learning and loving it. He started with Duolingo, then worked his way through the courses on offer at our local adult education college, up to conversational level. After that he went for "full emersion" - he moved his phone settings to Spanish and the car's sat nav (Grr!), listens to Spanish radio, watches Spanish TV and reads the Spanish version of novels. He also chats to Spanish-speaking work colleagues in their language when he gets the chance, or Spanish waitresses in restaurants. He gets frustrated when we go to Spain and they rebuff his efforts by speaking in English! He'll be 50 next year, and I keep wondering if he'll find a new hobby, but no sign of it yet!

Of course you can! I did French and German at school but my kids are learning Spanish so I decided to take up spanish lessons in lockdown. I have a 2hr class once a week on zoom and love it! I'm learning with www.letslearnspanish.co.uk

Coffee break Spanish is a great free podcast too.

because you already know French learning Spanish will be so much easier for you than if it was a 2nd language!

go for it.

I've started 6m ago, just on Duolingo for now and love it!

Somos muy inteligentes y aprender español es divertido.

Definitely you can and should. My French has always been OK level but has improved significantly since we’ve bought a boat and had to communicate about things other than meals in French.

I’d say if you can arrange to spend time in the country or find a zoom pal to chat to, it helps. Our best man lives in the south and has a French wife, so I practice on her in return for English practice.

I'm loving the positivity in this thread!

I have done bits of four languages over the years, but I've never stuck in to really know it anything close to fluent (for example about four months of hebrew, which I loved because it's a totally different alphabet - but then I left Israel).

But this time I want to be able to have proper conversations in a different language.

Are you interested in literature, translation, history and politics? Because a university degree is an academic qualification, not a measure of fluency. It prepares you for being a professional in the language, though you may need additional qualifications (teaching, translation etc). If you want to be fluent you don't need to study quite so hard or pay quite so much.

My DSis started learning Welsh (her DH is from north-west Wales) in her mid-30s. I thought it was crazy :) But she did some online courses, then some summer programs (1 and 2 week residency). She had a huge advantage of supportive DH, and they've spend a few weeks of every year there too. She says she has the basics, and I've been super impressed to hear he speaking with DH and their kids.

It's a fantastic thing to try! Probably very good for the brain too :)

If you want to be fluent you don't need to study quite so hard or pay quite so much

I'm in the fortunate position to be able to study a degree without it costing me anything but time and books. I'm a third of the way there, but need another subject on top of the one I've already started.

While there are a few subjects that I would be interested in knowing more about, a language, either Spanish (which is the one I fancy most) or French (which is the sensible choice, being that I know more French and also know someone that I could speak to for practise) is what I'm most keen on.

It is a valid point though, and I do have concerns about my ability to do a language at that level.

I'm 52 and learning Japanese, it's bloody hard but fun.

@SticksAndStoned

I'm loving the positivity in this thread!

I have done bits of four languages over the years, but I've never stuck in to really know it anything close to fluent (for example about four months of hebrew, which I loved because it's a totally different alphabet - but then I left Israel).

But this time I want to be able to have proper conversations in a different language.

you're well-primed, honestly. you clearly have a love of languages and the brains for it.

I'm Hungarian and I've learnt Russian, German & English at school.
Then came to England to properly learn English and got stuck here 20+ years ago.
I've learnt bits of Spanish, Italian, Dutch & Portuguese, but so far I can only use English properly (well, on a good day🤣).

so now I'm properly going for it with Spanish & Italian.
Once things are more reliable and post-Covid dust have settled I'm gonna sign up for proper classes, I learn using a language much better in a group setting.

I recommend you listen to songs in Spanish and try & watch films in Spanish with English subtitles. it doesn't matter if it's too quick, you'll get familiar with the rhythm.
I've watched Money Heist 3 times and in the summer holidays I'm gonna brave it without the safety net and I will watch it in Spanish without subtitles. eek!

God, do it! I'm learning Russian (Russian DH and bilingual DD). It's really tough but so worthwhile, and Russians everywhere now apologise to me for the complexity of their case system (as well they should, it's awful ).

OP I'm around your age and also started learning Spanish a couple of years ago after a 20 year gap. It is so much easier these days! Endless resources on line, you can do online classes with a native speaker, youtube videos, Spanish Netflix, download spanish language fiction on kindle, read the Spanish newspapers, there is a great app called radio garden where you can listen to radio stations in any country in the world.
And if you don't know a word you don't have to leaf through a dictionary! Just use google translate

I started online Italian lessons in Sept 2020 with a University language school. I enjoyed the 2 hour zoom class every week but wasn't motivated enough to do the necessary practice at home on my own. I'd recommend trying to find a language buddy so you can practice the spoken word between classes. I'm hoping to start again in Sept 21 if I can persuade my husband to give up the Japanese lessons he started and join with me.

Definitely not too late my DFather had a stroke at 60 which forced him to retire from work, he started learning French to exercise his brain, he has passed his GCSE and is now studying for his A level French.

@SticksAndStoned

I'm 50. I loved doing French at school, but honestly don't remember too much of it.

I'm thinking of doing university level Spanish, starting at beginners but going to effectively third year Spanish.

I know learning a language is much easier when young. Am I being ridiculous to think I could do this at this age?

You can do anything you want at any age. You just need to be prepared to work hard and stay motivated. Good luck 🤞🏾

Language teacher here.
You're never too old. Oldest I've taught was an elderly gentleman of 83!
It might be a bit harder on the brain but there are far more resources now than when you were younger

If you want to be fluent you don't need to study quite so hard

I agree with this. Admittedly I did an extremely traditional (French and German) degree, so at that level it was pretty much all translation and literature and some linguistics, which was mostly very interesting but wasn't really learning a language - you had to be able to speak the language pretty well before you started. It was only my 3rd year abroad which really deepened my ability to speak the language.

Obviously all university courses are different, and if the real academic study of a language appeals to you, then go for it! But if what you're after is the eventual ability to communicate at a near-native level, a degree might not be the best way of doing that.

My grandfather learnt to speak Spanish fluently in his 60s with video cassettes! Then he went on to learn conversational German in his 70s: it’s never too late He’s very old now, but at 91, we still chat in Spanish on FaceTime once in a while I think it’s a great idea!

Course you can. DH learned Russian in his fifties, having done no languages since OLevel. Got an A at GCSE.