Too old to learn?
By 41Combedale
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
Greece
February 15, 2022 5:01am CST
After living in Greece for over ten years I have finally decided to bite the bullet and try to learn the language. It is a difficult one, and that is not just my opinion. However it is an interesting one and some of the medical words are already a long standing part of the English Language.
I am finding myself rather slow at learning new words and it is obviously going to take a long time. I may not live long enough to become fluent at this rate! But I hope that I am not too old to learn even if I am too old to run a marathon, or even to run at all on some days....
If you have ever watched the film 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' you will remember the Greek father who was telling the British family that all the English words have come from Greek. Well I begin to think that this is partly true, especially of medical and scientific words.
I think that the big advantage of the English language is that we do not have a division into genders which must be a welcome relief to people learning English.
I have decided that repitition may be the key to learning a new language. Can anyone provide some practical tips?
15 people like this
16 responses
@sharonelton (25013)
• Lichfield, England
15 Feb 22
You are never too old to learn.
I want to go and live in Wales one day so I'm trying to learn Welsh. Bore da. That's good morning in Welsh. 
3 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
15 Feb 22
Live and learn,hope you will soon master Greek ! I ofter get stuck on the idioms and slang of English.
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16533)
• China
16 Feb 22
@marlina Yes,I frequently look up them in dictionaries ,even write them down on a notebook.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154166)
• Canada
16 Feb 22
@changjiangzhibin89 , Dictionaries have always been a constant in my life.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
15 Feb 22
I'm quite surprised that you've needed over ten years to come to the decision to learn the language. When I go on holiday to a country whose language I don't know, I always learn some phrases which always pleases the locals and often lowers the prices!
There are good online language learning courses. Check them out and try some. You'll notice which one appeals to you. I can't recommend a certain firm because each language course is made by different people.
An advice which is often given is to listen to the texts as often as possible, for example while driving a car or even when lying in bed so that what you hear can reach your subconscious.
2 people like this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
25 Feb 22
Initially I didn't think I was staying very long. Then it was difficult to find a class and soon I had made friends with people who spoke English or wanted to practice it. My husband only speaks to me in English so no hope there... Learning phrases was not a problem, or picking up odd words but speaking Greek means giving it quite alot of time. Which I do. If I had come as a young woman it would have been easier but I was already retired when I came.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325818)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Feb 22
I loved 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. Have you tried Duolingo? I've found it quite good as a learning tool - and it's free. There are some good tips in the comments too.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
25 Feb 22
I am using duolingo. It is working for me and I enjoy the course.
Thanks for the suggestion.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85328)
• Bangalore, India
15 Feb 22
We are never too old to learn. And learning a new language is exciting and a good exercise for our brain cells.
If you are learning only the spoken language,then listening carefully and watching more and more of shows in that language might help along with practice to speak it more.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
25 Feb 22
I am hoping to be able to read Greek, I can practice speaking it but Ilelarn more by seeing it written than by listening to shows,- the people speak too quickly for me to separate the words.
1 person likes this
@arunima25 (85328)
• Bangalore, India
27 Feb 22
@41CombedaleRoad You can go ahead with whatever way suits you. We all have a different learning style. I am sure you will get better with time and practice
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
25 Feb 22
thank you, I needed those words of encouragement Faster.
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
15 Feb 22
Learning a language is not easy per se. Some people have a gift for languages, others don't. It depends on the individual. I had diligent pupils who had great problems with foreign languages and lazy ones who picked them up without working hard.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
25 Feb 22
I live in Greece but I don't have much connection with Greeks who can't speak English. I think t is a drag for them to try and speak to me if they are also older people. The young ones like to use the English they have learned at school so that is nice.
@xFiacre (12599)
• Ireland
15 Feb 22
@41combedaleroad One tends to repeat things a lot as one ages (I’m told!) so repetition should not be a problem!! I use Duolingo.com.
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
25 Feb 22
Reptition is the way for me, and I use duo lingo. Children learn by repitition as every mother knows! so there is hope even for me.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
25 Feb 22
I don't think it takes 10 years to learn a language but it does m
ean setting aside regular hours to sit and study.
@healerWitch (417)
• Portugal
15 Feb 22
After moving to Portugal (I'm a Greek Cypriot), I started using the Memrise app for vocabulary. A few words a day helps a lot, but I found that if I don't practice it then I forget them easily.
It can help immensely if you practice it by speaking to others in Greek daily (I remember back when I was using Facebook, there are groups which you can find people to practice the language with through video calls). Once you get the hang of our greek letters, you can also slowly try reading few pages (or even a couple of sentences) of Greek books or newspapers every day.
I sometimes try to read my children's books from their school lol. My kids are already fluent in Portuguese. I'm still struggling (I even forgot most of my Greek as I haven't practiced them with anyone in 8 years now).
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
26 Feb 22
The friends I know who have learned Greek as adults learned it when their children went to Greek schools and came home with the language - so in a way the children taught them!
@cherigucchi (14879)
• Philippines
15 Feb 22
I guess it depends on your determination and interest to learn but Im glad you did.
@Marilynda1225 (79769)
• United States
15 Feb 22
I've never learned a language aside from English. I give you credit for wanting to learn Greek and I'm sure you'll be able to conquer it.
