Rocket French Community

I am wondering that at 58 if I'm too old to learn a new language? People a lot younger than me probably retain more information than I.

Hi Ray, I don't think you are too old., I am 60- and taking the course, but I'll tell you it is not easy, I try to do some everyday, I want to go to France one day. I've been before but could not communicate. I think it is harder for us older students to learn anything, I should know as I teach piano and my older students lag behind the young ones, the older beginners give every excuse for not having practiced. Lets hope we both can learn French at our ages, thanks, that was a good question. sincerely, gary wages

GaryWages wrote:Hi Ray, I don't think you are too old., I am 60- and taking the course, but I'll tell you it is not easy, I try to do some everyday, I want to go to France one day. I've been before but could not communicate. I think it is harder for us older students to learn anything, I should know as I teach piano and my older students lag behind the young ones, the older beginners give every excuse for not having practiced. Lets hope we both can learn French at our ages, thanks, that was a good question. sincerely, gary wages

Thanks for the advice, Gary. I would like to live in France for a year or so.

Hi Ray - never too old
I am 60 ++++++ and learning french. Ok, it may take a bit longer, but good exercise for the grey matter just keep plugging away and you may surprise yourself! And if you go to live in France and hear it everyday you will surely learn more than living outside France.
Regards Sandie

Salut,

being an adult learner also has great advantages.
The older you are the more you know about the world and the more concepts you know. If you come across a concept in another language you will already have an idea of what it is in your first language.

For example children need to learn what the difference between a rock, a pebble and a stone is. You already know that so if someone tells you the French word for it you already have a concept saved in your brain and you can simply add the new word to it.
As a child you would have to learn about the category of "hard things" and then learn the different concepts behind stone, pebble and rock.
So there is more brain power involved. As an adult this might take slightly longer and you might have to repeat words more frequently to keep them in mind, but you can never do enough practice. It keeps you young and the more you do it the easier it will get.

All the very best to you

I am 50 & I think it's great for testing your mind. Hubby & I went to France this year & I fell in love with it! I can't wait to go back next year, but next time I want to be able to communicate. We had such a wonderful time, everyone was so friendly & helpful. So, I am really motivated, I think that is the key, if you have more motivation & really want to learn, you can!

You are never too old!!!

That is very true.
Everyone can learn anything if they just really want to.
For some it might take longer, but in the end you will get their and it will be a very satisfying experiment.
You can never be too old for learning a language

Bonjour Ray,

I hope you're not too old because if you are, I'm in real trouble! I'm 79 years old and recently started the course. I am confident that I WILL be speaking French bientöt. I was assigned to NATO in Fontainbleau, France for about a year back in the mid 1950's. I spent many weekends in Paris and with the French people. I loved them both!

Bon Chance.... Herm

Congratulation à tous!
I'm sure that all of you will be fluent in French very soon.
In my experience patience and keep practicing is the key of learning a language.
All the best for your French learning!
Bonne chance!