ASK AN EXPERT Am I too old to learn new language?

Dr Florence Boulard, Director, Academy of Modern Languages at JCU

As human beings we have this incredible ability to develop and use language for communication.

Yet many of us take our language skills for granted because, for most of us, we learned our first language naturally from a very young age.

But what about second languages? Are you too old to learn? NO you are not!

While some research describes children as being gifted to learn another language, adults are just as likely to achieve a reasonable level of fluency.

Why? Because children and adults learning a second language will have access to different skills that will influence their learning.

For example, while it is true that a child under 10 might find it less challenging to pronounce new words, an adult will have more developed learning strategies.

I have had the privilege of teaching students of all ages, ranging from 2 to 86 years old. The difference between the “great” and the “regular” language learner often lies in the amount of time the person spends with the language.

Learning a second language takes time and dedication, no matter what age you are. However, research has demonstrated that taking this brainy challenge in 2020 could just be one of the best things you have ever decided to do!

The Academy of Modern Languages at JCU offers short courses in a range of languages. Enrolments now open.

Contact the Academy of Modern Languages on (07) 4232 1207.