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?

Thanks for this thread OP, I have found myself with more time on my hands recently and have been thinking about revisiting french from my 20 odd year old GCSE.

This thread has inspired me to give it a go. Would also love a list of websites, learning aids etc if anyone can recommend other than duolingo!

It is never too late. I started off on Duolingo during the first pandemic but took lessons many years ago prior to that. I remembered some words from primary school French classes however. Find a tutor, a good one preferably, it will make a lot of difference. If you need resources this is a link with more information, www.grantandcutler.com/

I think Spanish is a language that is easier to make sense of. I've been learning Turkish on and off for over 20 years. My husband is Turkish. I will never be fluent.
Learning words and sentences is very satisfying and rewarding but it is no way anywhere near to being able to understand and respond to conversation. You need to learn about the culture aswell.

Go for it! Through necessity I’ve learnt French, Swedish and German - I worked in the countries in English but for all of the social chat had to pick it up sharpish. I found that, contrary to doing A-levels or academic study, if you want to ‘feel’ fluent in a language you have to sort of just pretend you’re already fluent and get your ear in by putting yourself in situations where you have to use the target language. I keep up my languages with teachers/mother tongue speakers on an app called iTalki, and listen to podcasts (there’s a great one that’s easy news in Swedish which means I keep my ear in every day - no help to you but perhaps there’s a Spanish version!) Lycka till (good luck)!