How to Learn a New Language in Adulthood
I write a lot of how to articles as a freelance writer. Stuff like how to finger your girlfriend, how to run a 5k race, and how to french kiss. Oh what? Yeah, I write for a men’s website. So when the topic of fluency at Sunday Scribblings came about, I automatically started writing a how to…
It’s no surprise that learning a language in your adulthood is a lot tougher on your memory and brain than learning a language in your childhood. It takes extra work and determination but it can be done. The best thing is to acclimate yourself in the culture. It’s not enough to be in the country, because talking in English and hanging out with ex-pats isn’t going to do the trick. Acclimation means conversing with the locals, and trying out conversational language so you can learn words and sentence structures.
Growing up in the USA as the only Asian kid, it was easy to learn English as my second language. Unfortunately, that meant forgetting my Filipino dialect, Cebuano. My mom spoke English in the house and I quickly had no use for my native language. All that I learned in the first four years of my life was gone.
Visiting the Philippines has helped some. In the six times that I have come to visit, for five to eight weeks at a time starting at the age of eight, I have picked up vocabulary. I’ve always been too shy to make a fool of myself by trying to actually speak the language so the words that I picked up never went very far. Each time I visited, I’d learn new words and seem to remember the ones I already knew.
It is exactly one month that I’ve been in the Philippines, and I am staying here for at least a year. Already, I am conversing in full sentences and understanding more than not. My sentences are getting easier but I am not fluent. I still have to think more than I would speaking English, but I am trying to speak as much Cebuano as I possibly can. Similarly, my family talks to me mostly in the dialect.
Best of all, it no longer seems like I’m making a fool of myself when trying to speak in Cebuano. Slowly, but surely, I’m getting it. And when I come back to the states, I’m making my mom talk to me in Cebuano.
Learning a language in adulthood takes practice, repetition and dedication. Being able to converse every day will help your language comprehension improve greatly. With tenacity and a willingness to learn, you can pick up a language and become fluent in a couple years.
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30 Responses to “How to Learn a New Language in Adulthood”
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I totally know what you mean – man, it’s hard to learn new tricks when you’re starting to become an old dog. It’s one of my deepest regrets that I didn’t make my Mum speak Afrikaans to me when we moved from South Africa to Scotland when I was a toddler. It’s not our first language, or hers, but it would be invaluable now that I plan to eventually settle there. Finding a job and speaking only one language is laughable in a country with ELEVEN national languages.
I have the CDs, I have the Afrikaans friends, and plenty of reading material. I think the major problem has been finding the time. And because most people in South Africa also speak English, getting them to talk to you in Afrikaans is just an annoyance for them when they could so much more easily communicate in English. Also, I’m kind of a pain in the ass, and ask a million questions.
ANYWAY! This is a long-winded way of saying… I feel your pain – and I totally respect someone who can stick with it. Good luck!
.-= Kirsty´s last blog ..All Hail Sir Zapiro, King of South African Satire! =-.
yeah, i think Americans in general are pretty laughable when it comes to language! I’m similar to you. I wish my mom had stuck to speaking the dialect with me when I was a toddler so I would remember more! I don’t think asking a million questions is a pain in the ass… that’s how you learn!! You have to be able to handle feeling a little foolish at times.. But all I’m saying is that it’s a LOT harder than just living in the country like most people might think!! Especially when they talk to you in English.
It depends a lot on the language. I’ve been trying to learn Thai for a number of years, and although I understand it fairly well, I still have a problem making myself understood. Say a sentence in the wrong pitch, mispronounce a single word , and it all becomes meaningless.
A lot of Asian languages seem to be that way.. Chinese in particular! Seems like some hard languages to learn..
Whew impressive. I have enough difficulty with English
.-= Dee´s last blog ..Just Words =-.
Yeah, English is hard to master!
yeah it sure is difficult to learn a new language…
Well i hope u pick your mother tongue soon
Cheers
Nairobi
.-= Nairobi´s last blog ..In the eye of the beholder….. =-.
I hope so too. It’s kind of annoying and embarrassing for me that I don’t know my own mother tongue!
I agree with you, learning new language has become difficult as we age but practice and dedication makes perfect. I’m a little bit ashamed because I was born in Samar yet I did not learn to speak the language, still I able to understand because it’s the language my parents use in my home.
I feel the same way. A little ashamed, especially since I was born there. I guess a lot of people (Americans) don’t know their “mother” tongue but I think of them as being a bit more generational as immigrants, and thus further removed. But what’s my excuse when I was born in the Philippines?
It’s definitely hard, even for me as a linguist, who speaks 3 languages fluently and another three a little, Chinese is a real challenge. Phrases are easy to learn, but to speak freely, pronounce right and make sense: Very hard
.-= My Kafkaesque Life´s last blog ..Taichung, Taiwan’s third biggest city =-.
Wowww, I wish I knew 3 languages fluently! I am definitely not a linguist. lol
you sure are spot on… i have been trying spanish and ……
Frantic Fluency
I always said that when I’d mastered my own laguage I’d tackle another. Alas it seems unlikely that I will acheive the former and therefore the latter will remain a distant dream!
As someone who grew up fluent in two languages, I sympathize completely. It takes work to keep the language alive in your mind once you leave the country, but a visit back brings it sweeping in again.
.-= Lilibeth´s last blog ..Fluency =-.
Wow, I can’t believe you’re picking it up so fast. It’s pretty cool you write for a men’s website too!
yes, maybe that’s why i’m picking it up so fast! I’ve visited enough times that it all comes back to me once i’m here… and then some! i’m learning new words every day!
Everytime I have to learn a new language, I listen to music. It works for me- I don’t know why.
I think listening to music helps loosen you/your brain up. Interesting…
I actually think its easier to learn another language as an adult than a child, and you have yourself in one of the best possible positions to learning one, I wouldn’t be surprised if you became fluent within 6-7 months as long as you avoid speaking English.
Currently learning Japanese in my spare time for my year there next year
.-= AdventureRob´s last blog ..How to Pick Your Backpack =-.
hmm that’s interesting. i always felt it was easier when you’re younger (under 10 years; even better under 6 years!) and your mind is so fresh. and that would be awesome if i became fluent in 6-7 months!! i’m trying not to speak english if i can..
wow, have fun in japan! would LOVE to go there eventually!
I’m really hoping to learn French one day. Fiance’s family is French-Canadian and I’ve learned enough to sort of get the gist of what they’re saying when they’re all together, but I’d love to be able to speak it fluently too. One day
.-= Emily Jane´s last blog ..Progress? =-.
Yes, this is pretty much where I’m at! Knowing enough to get the gist of conversations. etc. I think it’s definitely a good start to speaking fluently.. one day
I feel like learning a new language stretches my brain in such an amazing way, like a new yoga pose or sleeping in. Fabulous, and congrats!
It really does stretch your brain! After an hour of language conversation in Filipino my brain really hurts. I have to listen extra close to people talking to me because my brain takes extra time to process!
It’s amazing how quickly we forget things when we aren’t using them regularly… And this applies to so much more than just language, but typical skills even. Cursive writing, for example, quickly fades into a memory – except maybe signing one’s name – when unused. I can’t even imagine how much we lose over time. Hm.
.-= MinD´s last blog ..413 Harris Street, MoTown. =-.
my dad never taught me Tagalog. C bought me rosetta stone for christmas. I know it would be easier if I could immerse myself in it, but until then I’m going to learn from my computer
yes and i’m jealous you have Rosetta Stone! I’m sure it’s amazing.
Ooooh It’s great that you’re taking advantage of the language learning possibilities. Languages have always fascinated me, I know some French and Italian but I’ve never become fluent because I’ve never been in the position to speak it everyday. I think moving and submerging yourself in the language is the perfect way to learn. I hope to do that soon.
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..I Leave a Trail =-.
I’m an Amercan woman who has been living in China for three years.
Chinese is my second language.It’s too difficult to me. I have studied Chinese when I was in America. It doesn’t work well. After I moved to China, I found a tutor to teach me Chinese. But it costs too much. Finally My American friend recommend a nice website(http://www.mandarinnetwork.com). I think learnning Chinese online is more convenient and cheaper.
I think the best way to Learn a new language is join in their country’s culture and live with local people.