im 24 and never studied spanish before ive moved to spain as my husband is spanish and we just had our first child together. But im finding it extreamly hard to learn the language late on in life i know im only 24 but its not the same as when you learn a language when your a child , does anyone have any experience or advise ??
2006-06-17 13:26:06 · 8 answers · asked by sally 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
I moved to Barcelona last year knowing very little Spanish or Catalan. (I'm 20.) It really helped that I started a language course straight away - see if you can find a good language course to take, one that emphasizes using the language actively. There's no other way to learn really. Practice lots, I'm sure your husband and his family and friends, and everyone else around, will be more than happy to help! They're just happy to see we're trying to learn and most people are very helpful. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, the language isn't that hard really, you just need to get started practicing and using the language in every way you can possibly think of. You'll be fine!
2006-06-17 13:36:25 · answer #1 · answered by _jellybaby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
David Beckham did it, and he didn't even have a complete grasp of English!
But seriously; when you are older, your brain is less 'flexible'. Until the age of 6ish, your brain frequently lays neurone pathways, which give you the ability to learn more things (if you try). So if you learn languages then, you have a greater ability to pick up more in later life.
If you don't start until you are older, then it can be a more difficult process because there are less pathways - but it is not impossible!
You sound really brave - a new baby and a new country! If you persist then I'm sure you will pick it up eventually, and immersion (being surrounded by people who speak the language you are trying to learn) is the best technique, what ever your age or ability.
Good Luck!
2006-06-18 03:30:05 · answer #2 · answered by guest 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is tough, but you are in a much better situation than you'd be trying to learn the language from home with just a few hours a week in the classroom. Take advantage of life with your husband and new baby... Meet other new parents and share your experiences... This will help you to make new friends there as well. Most people there will be patient with you as long as it seems like you are trying. I studied in Spain in college, and found many people were very helpful, and also took advantage of English speakers to form "intercambios," in which they practiced their English with you and helped you practice your Spanish. Get social, meet new people, don't isolate yourself.... Have fun and forget about all the grammar rules for now.... You will pick them up as you go along. Good luck and congratulations.... You live in a very beautiful place. Enjoy!!
2006-06-18 00:18:08 · answer #3 · answered by valisme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ditto! I moved to Mexico 4 years ago and I have had the exact same problem as you and I am 34 years old, that is the same reason that I feel it is so hard for me as well and at first I was embarrassed to speak and hardly ever did, even then it was a word or two and after 4 years of trying my best I am at the point where I don't give a S**t anymore, if they don't like it that is their problem, if they don't understand that I am not from here and I don't speak the language well, that's their problem. I understand myself, my husband understands me and everybody else usually understands me, but if not they just have to figure out what my bad grammar means and since they have been here all of their lives, it should be fairly simple for them. I don't worry about the language anymore, I simply could care less.
2006-06-17 21:00:19 · answer #4 · answered by Beauty&Brains 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wanted to learn Japanese a little younger than you and spent some time in Japan. Came back and had Japanese roommates and learned that my pronounciation was off and corrected that so I now pronounce things but hey! grammar is a bear. I don't think it matters the language it is just putting it together in speech and especially when you need to say something that you haven't said a 1000 times before. I am learning Spanish now and I am 64 and I do ok but I don't have to speak it just think that I should. I live in California where 60% of the people... estamos 60% de los gentes vivan aqui en los angeles quien hablan espanol. ja ja
2006-06-17 22:25:03 · answer #5 · answered by madchriscross 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm 60 and moved here to Spain 6 months ago. I'm begining to get to grips with it, I understand the written spanish, but they do talk fast, especially on TV. I can make myself understood at the drs etc. It is reckoned to be one of the easiest languages to learn as it has few grammar irregularities. I have a few learning programmes and try to do some each day.
2006-06-18 02:40:09 · answer #6 · answered by mike-from-spain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I moved to Colombia 2 years ago, and have at least 2 more years to go. However, I do find it rather difficult to structure sentences in a grammatically correct way. I'm fine with nouns, but the tenses are so confusing.
I try to write down key phrases and memorise them, and then I would try to change the nouns and with time, I am able to use basic sentences.
Last but not least, the key to learning any language would be to use it! In the shops, in the market, for the home deliveries...
2006-06-17 20:32:45 · answer #7 · answered by Kemmy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't worry you will pick it up no bother,don't be embarrassed about making mistakes, some times they might laugh when you speak there not laughing at you, but how you said it .
24 is not old,I went to Germany when i was 20 living and working with Germans no English at all, and after 6 months i could understand quite a bit after nearly 11 years they didn't know i was a foreigner, you also have those possibilities you will pick it up no
problem. have fun with it you will be fluent in no time.
2006-06-22 17:12:11 · answer #8 · answered by Ronnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋