Is it possible to learn Italian after 40?
Are you thinking about learning a new language in your forties? If you’re concerned that you waited too long to get started, you’ll be glad to know that this is an excellent time in your life to begin a focus on learning new things. Learning a new language at this age has different challenges than when you were in your 20s or 30s. You are never too old to learn Italian. One of the most damaging myths in learning Italian is the idea that once we reach a certain age we are too old to learn the language. This is simply not true. To the contrary studies have proven that there is not a critical age range when learning a new language.
For example, in the study “A Test of the Critical-Period Hypothesis for Second-Language Acquisition”, 2.3 million US immigrants were tested. The study examined the immigrant’s abilities to learn a second language and how that correlated to age and other factors. In the end, the study found no correlation between the immigrant’s ability to learn a second language and their age. So those who were in their middle ages or older were able to learn a second language just as well as children or teenagers. That is great news if you thought you were too old to learn Italian!
Let’s have a look at some of the reasons why learning a new language can be easier for you in your forties:
1. Learning Ability – Adults have a big advantage because they already know how to learn. Children and younger students must follow the instructions of teachers. On the other hand, as adults we have the ability to also teach ourselves. We know what methods work for us and which ones do not. In fact most polyglots, a person who can speak several languages, say learning a new language like Italian becomes easier over time. This is because they develop systems of learning that work for them.
2. Learn a language to stay connected – As we grow older, we tend to realize more about the nature of life, and for many of us, this leads to the expansion of our worlds. This isn’t true for everyone, but if you’re the type of person who likes to continue learning as you grow, then you have likely paid more attention to the news, politics and other social issues over time. Learning Italian is an amazing way to deepen your connection to people from around the world. The language learning process will make it possible to hold conversations with people you never would’ve spoken to otherwise.
3. Motivation – Having a “why” or reason to learn Italian can be the biggest contributing factor to your success in Italian fluency. Perhaps your “why” is the desire to speak with relatives. Or maybe you have a love interest who speaks Italian. Maybe you love to travel to Italy and want to be able to truly experience the country as an insider. Whatever it is, the motivation to learn Italian will get you through difficult times.
4. Learn to keep your mind young – If you’re struggling to remember things, it might make you less confident about learning a language. You might blame it on your age. However, some research suggests that most cognitive abilities don’t begin to decline until after the age of 70, meaning that a lot of the memory troubles you are experiencing might be attributed to other factors, such as a hectic schedule, insufficient sleep, and emotional stress. Keeping an active mind that is always focused on learning new things, will slow down the ageing process. This makes learning Italian an ideal part of any healthy routine for your forties.
Finally,
There are plenty of great options for learning languages online, many of which are free and come with a number of impressive features. However, Italian is one such language that can benefit you in an infinite number of ways. There is no better time than now, so why wait? The sooner you start the learning process, the sooner you’ll be fluent in Italian.
There’s an amazing new way to learn Italian! Want to see what everyone’s talking about!