Learn something new like a language and be great fun, and a challenge no matter how old you are. I am sure you must have heard the saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. It’s simply not true! After a certain age, learning new life skills may seem like a thing of the past. However, you should know that in order to stay young you must challenge yourself to learn and grow each day. What better way to learn and grow, than learning a second language? Language learning can be fun and with the multitude of learning aids and programs out there, it is easier now more than ever before, to have a different language at your fingertips (or lips).
Several studies have shown that anyone, at any age, can learn a new language. Yes, children are able to pick up languages more quickly. It just means for older people learning a foreign language it takes a little longer. With all the new technology available, it has never been so easy to learn and communicate with a foreign language for all ages.
Why would I learn a new language at my age?
Learning a language at any age can be a fun way to challenge yourself. Language learning offers a long list of benefits to your health both mental and physical. It is a social activity that can bring you together with the people of the world and in your community. Imagine, visiting a foreign country and being able to talk and ask questions of the local people. There are only a few activities that engage all your brain as language learning does.
Learning a new language lets you practice reading, writing, and speaking in the native tongue of another place. By learning the language of a certain place, you immediately gain access to their art, music, and culture. We live in a global world. Learning a second language is a great way to be a part of it.
What language should I learn?
There are just a few things to bear in mind when we want to learn a new language as we got older. Are you going to learn this language so we can communicate with others of a foreign country when we go on a trip there? Or do we want to learn it much more formally and including the full written language? The spoken form, of a few phrases whilst we are on our holidays, will no doubt get you started and give you good encouragement to continue on in the future. Later on, being able to write the language too does speed up the learning process.
The language you choose to learn is completely up to you. Be sure to choose a language that you are interested in from a place that you would like to learn more about. You are also going to want to pick a language with many resources available to learn from. Some of the rarer languages will have less easily accessible learning tools and therefore may be an unobtainable goal.
Some of the most common languages that are spoken in the US besides English are Spanish, French, and Chinese. These may be a good place to start if you are looking for native speakers to practice with. It may be a good idea to choose a language that shares an alphabet with English so that it is easier to learn. If you are thinking of writing pictographic languages like Chinese, Korean, and Japanese can be extremely difficult if you must learn an entirely new toolset before you can begin.
It is always smartest to pick a language that interests you. If you like Mexican food, try Spanish. If you have always wanted to go to Paris, try French. If Italian fashion is your vice, try Italian. Whatever language you choose to learn, it needs to be one that you are motivated to try.
The health benefits of learning a second language
Learning a second language is a really good way to prevent dementia in older age. It is said; learning a second language strengthens your neural pathways and makes it a lot harder for your brain to degenerate over time. This also helps maintain the strength of your memory as you get older.
They also say; learning a second language makes your brain bigger. The work that you do to learn and memorize the rules and words of a second language increase the physical size of your brain. This also helps with your ability to hold both short- and long-term memories as you get older.
In addition to increased memory, learning a language is a great way to lengthen your attention span. Learning forces you to focus on a task for an extended period. This focus will transfer over to your other activities in life. Spend more time focused on reading a book, doing a puzzle, or writing.
Your writing will also be affected by your new language. Learning a second language drastically improves our ability to write, by helping us gain a better understanding of your original language. Learning a language is also proven to help your hearing and processing of sounds. On top of all that, language learning is a great way to increase productivity and creativity in our daily lives.
The social benefits for older people in learning a new language
Learning a language is a great way to meet new people. Whether you are taking a class or doing an online learning program, language learning helps you join a community from all walks of life and a variety of ages. Often frequented by self-motivated individuals that are willing to put effort into bettering themselves, a language class or club is a great way to meet people. Online groups are also a great option if you cannot find a physical group in your area.
Learning a second language opens a new part of the world to you. A second language will allow you to converse with new people in their native tongue. You will also be able to share in the new culture of your language. New music, films, and art in your new language will feel like a brand-new experience that will be incredibly rewarding.
A second language will allow you to widen your world view. You will be able to read the news in your second language and take in different perspectives from outside of your own country. A second language also opens many opportunities to travel around the world. Need an excuse to visit Rome? You’re just practising your new language!
So, where do I start?
Learning a new language can seem like a daunting task. There are thousands of words and hundreds of rules that accompany each language. Where do you even start?
The best way to star learning a new language is to sign up for a class. If your local community college or community center offer a language class, consider signing up.
Mobile apps like Babbel and Duolingo offer an introductory path into a new language. Online learning platforms like Rosetta Stone are excellent and offer a much more in-depth learning experience than their free counterparts.
No matter what you choose to learn your new language, make sure you develop your ‘why’. Understanding why you want to learn this new language is imperative if you want to be successful. When it gets difficult and you feel like stopping, your ‘why’ will motivate you to push on.
Learning a language is a valuable way to spend your time. Connect with the world and your community with a new language. Let alone being the envy of your friends! 🙂
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