too old to become fluent in language?

Question

im a korean-american but i never really spoke korean. But i wish to become fluent in it now since its my parents native language. im 18 and is it too late to become fluent since my friends tell me you have to start at a young age to become fluent

Answer 1

Oh whatever, practice makes perfect. So study, study, study!!

Answer 2

The sooner, the better. The good news is you're still young enough to achieve great success in learning one or more new languages. I teach English and Portuguese and I speak 3 languages, two of them I learned when I was little and those are the ones I speak/write/read fluently. Learning a new language at an early age is important because even the muscles in your face are affected by your mother language. After the puberty those muscles kind of "lock in" and accommodate themselves in a certain position where they'll be forever. That's how an accent comes up.This is obviously a rough explanation I'm writing here, but try watching a Mexican child speak English fluently as their parents struggle to make a single word sound right. When you learn a new language as a kid, you probably won't have an accent. 18 years old is still a fresh head, not many worries...plus you have your parents to practice with! Go for it!

Answer 3

Unless a person becomes senile (or other brain malfunction), one can always become fluent in another language. If you are only 18, you are still young enough to learn quickly.
Try Berlitz or similar, or try the Rosetta Stone, www.RosettaStone.com, 1 888 232 4031.
Total immersion is the best bet.
There are Korean newspapers and radio stations in the U.S., which would help you with your practice.
As it is with becoming a conductor, sculptor, whatever, some people are better suited for learning foreign languages than others.
It is not too late: just keep at it, use sticky notes on things with the proper Korean word, etc. Start writing in Korean. Try to think in Korean.
That's where you say, Kom-op-sum-ni-dah and I would say, Cham-in-aa-o! (It has been a L-O-N-G time.)

Answer 4

You're never too old to learn a language. You might not be *as* fluent as someone who learned at a very young age, but you can still be very proficient and practically fluent. I think it's fantastic that you want to learn another language and hope you do so.

*I learned a language in my 20s and got to the point where I was dreaming and thinking in said language.I lost much of it because I didn't use it, but I'm sure I could get it back if I tried. So, it's possible.

Answer 5

They are wrong. Anything is possible! You're only 18. What your friends are talking about is this certain... um, phenomenon where a child's brain is much more susceptible to learning a language than someone post-pubescent. It's biological, I'm sure.

However, many people learn a language later in life and become fluent. It is definitely not too late. You just have to study and work hard!

Answer 6

You are only 18, you are young! You can learn a new language at any age. It is a common pitfall for people wanting to do something then talking themselves out of it because they are "too old". You have a few things on your side, for one, you WANT to learn, you aren't being forced, it's a part of your heritage and something you should recognise. Also being Korean, I feel that it would be quite easy to pick up, as your parents can help you with it, pronunciation etc. Good luck.

Answer 7

Anyone can be fluent in any language. It just depends on how much of it you want to learn. Your advantage is that you have your parents there that can help you. It's good to have a second language in your pocket. My boyfriend is fluent in 3 languages and he's learning French now. It's neat!! And besides, your never to old to learn anything, especially at 18. Have fun learning all you can throughout life. We're here on earth and given tools to go through life with. Its and to us how we want to use them.absorb all of lifes pleasures!!!

Answer 8

I'm a bit of an expert on this.
18 is a little late to learn a language so you will speak it accent - free. But you certainly can learn it to be fully functional.The best way to learn is - ask your parents to speak ONLY korean to you at home . it will be a little awkward at first but you have a lot of support and it wont take long . I wish i would have been so lucky.

Answer 9

I'm not an expert so I can't tell you anything for sure, but I suppose it's never too late if you really wish to learn it. Do your parents speak Korean? It would help if they spoke it with you. Good luck!

Answer 10

it'll be harder for you to be fluent in a language at 18 rather than a child, but if you have the passion and the drive, it's not impossible!

Answer 11

never, if you got the passion. Go ahead and do it. If you can believe, you can achieve. It might become fun too and maybe you'll pick it up real fast and amaze your parents. Do what you want especially when it is intellectual pursuits. Peace and good luck.