Learn Spanish Travel Spanish Blog

My wife started learning Spanish just over two years ago.  At that time, she knew enough Spanish to order off the Taco Bell menu.   She was 55 years old.  She had only had two other language experiences.  One – as a freshman in high school, she had a year of French.  But in the middle of that year her family moved to another state, and she went from a very weak class (in English) to a very good class totally in French.  Unfortunately, she changed in the middle of the year and was pretty lost in the immersion class.  Although she passed, it left her with a sort of fear of languages.  I’m sure you know what I mean.

Her other language experience was when we traveled.  But I was the one who learned some of whatever language we needed.  She just stayed close to me.  And none of the languages were Spanish.

Today, two years and three months later, she volunteers for a local clinic that needs translators.   And in the past 13 months we’ve been to Argentina, Mexico and Peru, and she’s had no trouble at all getting around.

But before you think “well then”, I have to tell you that there are a couple of disclaimers.  First, she’s retired.  She has more time than those of us who aren’t retired.  Second, she’s devoted herself to learning Spanish.  Other than gardening, she has put all her retirement plans and anticipated hobbies on hold while she has given learning Spanish her all.  Seven days a week, she studies for at least two hours, often more, and sometimes much more.  Right now she has a conversation group on Monday evenings, a class on Tuesday morning, volunteer work for 5 hours on Tuesday afternoon, a class on Wednesday evening and she meets with a couple of classmates for two or three hours before that Wednesday class.

AND she has gone, both with me and without me, to immersion schools.  She did seven weeks in Oaxaca and Cuernavaca one time and four weeks another time.  (And yes it was tough – for her and for me).

The problems she encountered were…   first and foremost was self doubt.  She struggled with that, even to the point of not starting to learn.  She thought she was going to be the oldest person (by far) in the local classes (she usually wasn’t, and when she was, it wasn’t by much).  She thought her memory might not be up to it.  Well, the memory doesn’t work as well as when you’re fourteen, but it still works.

One thing we didn’t think about, but that came into play, was the disadvantage of poorer hearing.  We were in a school in Buenos Aires that was right on a street (and BA streets are busy) with the windows open.  It was very difficult to hear for everyone, but more for us, I think.

BUT there were advantages to being older too.  My wife found that she was far more focused.  In immersion schools, she studied while her younger classmates went dancing.  She knew what she wanted from the classes.  And when she wasn’t in school settings, she knew how to keep the studying interesting.  She changed medias often, switching from Pimsleur to Destinos to classes to Rosetta Stone to reading Spanish newspapers and books and watching Spanish tv and listening to Spanish radio.

So yes, there are disadvantages for the older learner.  But there are many advantages as well.  You can do it.  Jump right in.  And remember that the more time you put in, the faster you’re going to learn.  Use a variety of resources.  You don’t have to spend a fortune.  The “Learn” page on this website has enough to keep you going for years.  If you want to know more about aging and learning Spanish, here are some links.

The “Learn” page. Right hand column, fourth from the top.  Check out the other stuff on that page while you’re there. Good Luck.  Share your story with us.

Slate.      Ezine.   Japan Today.    ESL Teacher.

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