Is it possible not to be able to learn another language?

Question

I think i can't. I have failed in French, Japanese, Russian, and Korean.

Answer 1

I used to think that about myself. As a matter of fact, I tried learning Spanish in High School when I was 16. I failed first-year Spanish. I thought I was not capable of learning a foreign language until I was about 40, and my oldest daughter began taking Spanish in High School. At that time I realized that I still remembered quite a bit of Spanish, even though I failed the course, and there were 24 years between the two events.

I tried an experiment. I began teaching myself Esperanto (I had heard it was the easiest language on earth to learn). I'm now fluent in Esperanto, and have gone back and studied Spanish and German to the point of being, more-or-less conversational.

Anyone can learn a foreign language, some just learn faster than others. Different methods work with different people. You may be someone who can only learn through immersion. Keep looking at different course methods. Go to your local public library and try out different types of courses. You may find one that works for you.

If you want to give it another try, give Esperanto a try. Esperanto was far easier to learn than any of the other languages I've studied, and it opened the world to me. I've had conversations with people from every continent, and every country, and I only had to learn the easiest language on earth to do so.

You might ask, why is Esperanto easier to learn than any of the other languages? It's because it is a language designed to be simple to learn. Most of the time spent studying a foreign language is spent learning the irregularities and rule exceptions ("I before E except after C", " 'sheep' is both singular and plural", etc). Esperanto has only 16 gramatical rules, and no exceptions to any of the rules.

And before you ask, yes you can travel with Esperanto. Read this article in Wikipedia about the Esperanto "Pasporta Servo" (Pasport Service)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pasporta_Servo

Answer 2

Honestly, there are many people that cannot seem to learn foreign languages and it can be due to a number of things. I have found that I have a grasp for pronunciation and I learned Spanish very quickly. I also know many words in Japanese for the same reason. I think that it is just something to do with natural abilities and a firm interest in language.

Answer 3

Certainly some people learn languages more easily than others, just as some can learn math or perform music more easily than others. But if you can speak one language, you should be able to learn at least bits of a second one...the key may be to surround yourself with the sounds of that language, using tapes or CDs, or native speakers of that language if any are available to you.

Answer 4

I so know what you mean my Friend is trying to teach me Hindi and i can not believe she can speak to languages.

Answer 5

yes. look at how many foreigners in america can't speak english.