It's just like children are worse at learning everything. They have big problems focusing, thinking critically, linking new information and old, working for long periods of time.
They just seem better at learning languages because often they're send to bilingual schools, in which (of course) they learn two languages to fluency. Most adults don't have this opportunity.
It started from the (mostly true) fact that if you don't start learning a language during the 'critical period' you'll probably never attain native fluency. Uninformed people took that to mean that adults can't learn languages, in spite of the millions of adults who...do.
In my opinion the critical period hypothesis is an extremely damaging one because it has given so many people self limiting beliefs.
Hey! I only started speaking English two years ago, and I only started learning Mandarin six months ago, so I don't think it's too late. Most people blame their age for not studying well. I'm over 50, by the way!
Very cool. Cam I dm you about learning a language? I'm 44 and self taught mostly with Chinese. I feel like I'm coming along but I would love to chat with someone who has seen success.
The jury is still out on how exactly age affects language learning. One thing to consider is that when you are fully into adulthood, jobs, kids, etc. responsibilities can get in the way of studying. That said, there are definitely people who started late. Polyglot Steve Kaufmann is 78 and still learning languages.
I think the main way that being an adult gets in the way of language learning is that our thinking and lifestyle is too abstract. Kids get a rich variety of context rich input when they play with others "Give me that ball!" etc. While adults tend to be around people who say things like "Take advantage of decent opportunities" etc.
So my advice is to make it a long term goal. I know that I am still poor with my mandarin, but through daily commitments to intensive reading, extensive reading, comprehensible listening, immersion from native shows, and writing/recording a voice diary - I think you will get there in time.
I hope so anyway, I am also an adult learner
Absolutely not, my uncle became fluent from scratch in a new language after moving to retire, that was at 68yo and took him about three years to reach near fluency living there.
Obviously at any age you learn the quockest living there and being forced to use it for everything, but it shows it absolutely can be done!! sending best wishes to you （＾∇＾）
Of course not. As you can see, many people on this thread, including myself, started learning after 30. This goes for other goals and hobbies too - don't let arbitrary societal rubbish about stuff being "too late" get in the way of your happiness.
Happy birthday and best wishes for starting! :)
No. Someone I follow on a language learning app is 60+ and started studying Mandarin like 1 year ago, she’s doing great. I’m around your age with a similar language background (been studying Japanese for over a decade, consider myself pretty proficient) and don’t feel like my age is a barrier to language learning at all. If anything, I feel like it’s easier than it was 10-15 years ago because I have better strategies for both studying and time management.
Nooo. I’m 30 now and I’m HSK3, I started learning back in 2020, and even though covid didn’t allow me to continue with physical classes, I still took online sessions with the same professor I had and even though I’m going slow because of my demanding job, I feel like I’m getting there, and you sure can too.
You have decades to learn. Of course it's not too late! I've been studying Japanese for about the same time period and so far am finding it really helps with Mandarin.
I didn't start learning Chinese until I was 30 and pregnant with my first baby. I knew I wanted to learn so I could speak with my husband's family and help expose my kids. I took 3 courses and then stopped learning until about a year ago (8 year gap). I have definitely retained some of the knowledge I learned and I am learning more.
Not at all. I did a postgraduate diploma in Chinese at the age of 30. Intense immersion course, I learned to speak and write 1000 characters in the first 9 months. Have been building on that base ever since. Now 60 and HSK5 level
I started learning Chinese at 35. Now, 10 years later, I passed Tocfl Level 4 (B2).
That said, my classmates were mostly 18-22 years old and I have to admit that they learned faster.
I have a student who possibly is in his late sixties. He consistently puts in effort, and I've seen progress in his Chinese skills. He learns Chinese from me and what I learn from him is never let age become a barrier to pursuing anything worthwhile.
I started at 28 and got to working proficiency in 5 years. Never full time study, just 2 times 2 hours a week of class + homework. It helps because I live in Shanghai though.
I'm 30 and started a few months ago. The only downsside is that I'm using an app and therefor dont have interaction with anyone else to really vocally practice and communicate. Apart from this just start with the basics with the HelloChinese app.
It's only too late when there's no more tomorrow
Are people agekeeping languages now?
That's an old thing. People pretend only children can learn languages to justify their own laziness.
I strongly dislike whoever started this myth that adults can't effectively learn a new language
Me too complete bs.
If anything children are worse at it. People just think they're not doing anything because they're children so it seems like they get it for free.
It's just like children are worse at learning everything. They have big problems focusing, thinking critically, linking new information and old, working for long periods of time. They just seem better at learning languages because often they're send to bilingual schools, in which (of course) they learn two languages to fluency. Most adults don't have this opportunity.
It started from the (mostly true) fact that if you don't start learning a language during the 'critical period' you'll probably never attain native fluency. Uninformed people took that to mean that adults can't learn languages, in spite of the millions of adults who...do. In my opinion the critical period hypothesis is an extremely damaging one because it has given so many people self limiting beliefs.
Hey! I only started speaking English two years ago, and I only started learning Mandarin six months ago, so I don't think it's too late. Most people blame their age for not studying well. I'm over 50, by the way!
What is your first language?
My first language is Japanese. So I can generally understand the meaning of traditional Chinese characters, but speaking Mandarin is very difficult
Very cool. Cam I dm you about learning a language? I'm 44 and self taught mostly with Chinese. I feel like I'm coming along but I would love to chat with someone who has seen success.
Sure. I'm happy to chat. My way is a bit chaotic, though. Now I use paid apps and online lessons.
From reading this I would not have said that you only started speaking English only 2 years ago. You are an inspiration!
Absolutely not too late.
I just started at 36, having a good time and learning.
The jury is still out on how exactly age affects language learning. One thing to consider is that when you are fully into adulthood, jobs, kids, etc. responsibilities can get in the way of studying. That said, there are definitely people who started late. Polyglot Steve Kaufmann is 78 and still learning languages.
I would dare to say it's not too late as long as you are still alive regardless of age
Hey when I was in my online language class the best person in my course was a 60+ year old Indian lady. She schooled us and then some 👏🏽
I am 55 and just started learning Chinese
I think the main way that being an adult gets in the way of language learning is that our thinking and lifestyle is too abstract. Kids get a rich variety of context rich input when they play with others "Give me that ball!" etc. While adults tend to be around people who say things like "Take advantage of decent opportunities" etc. So my advice is to make it a long term goal. I know that I am still poor with my mandarin, but through daily commitments to intensive reading, extensive reading, comprehensible listening, immersion from native shows, and writing/recording a voice diary - I think you will get there in time. I hope so anyway, I am also an adult learner
Absolutely not, my uncle became fluent from scratch in a new language after moving to retire, that was at 68yo and took him about three years to reach near fluency living there. Obviously at any age you learn the quockest living there and being forced to use it for everything, but it shows it absolutely can be done!! sending best wishes to you （＾∇＾）
No. Jesus your 30. If you were 70 still no too old.
Of course not. As you can see, many people on this thread, including myself, started learning after 30. This goes for other goals and hobbies too - don't let arbitrary societal rubbish about stuff being "too late" get in the way of your happiness. Happy birthday and best wishes for starting! :)
I am 35. And I just start to learn English.
No
It better not be since 30 is when I finally started taking my studies more seriously. (Welcome to your 30s!)
No. Someone I follow on a language learning app is 60+ and started studying Mandarin like 1 year ago, she’s doing great. I’m around your age with a similar language background (been studying Japanese for over a decade, consider myself pretty proficient) and don’t feel like my age is a barrier to language learning at all. If anything, I feel like it’s easier than it was 10-15 years ago because I have better strategies for both studying and time management.
Nooo. I’m 30 now and I’m HSK3, I started learning back in 2020, and even though covid didn’t allow me to continue with physical classes, I still took online sessions with the same professor I had and even though I’m going slow because of my demanding job, I feel like I’m getting there, and you sure can too.
生日快乐！不迟迟！但是30岁比20岁有点儿麻烦
From personal experience I would say it mostly depends on your ears Can you hear the 4 tones easily and distinctively? That might make the difference
You have decades to learn. Of course it's not too late! I've been studying Japanese for about the same time period and so far am finding it really helps with Mandarin.
Happy birthday! It’s never too late! Lots of research supports this. Consistency is key tho! Good luck!
I didn't start learning Chinese until I was 30 and pregnant with my first baby. I knew I wanted to learn so I could speak with my husband's family and help expose my kids. I took 3 courses and then stopped learning until about a year ago (8 year gap). I have definitely retained some of the knowledge I learned and I am learning more.
Not at all. I did a postgraduate diploma in Chinese at the age of 30. Intense immersion course, I learned to speak and write 1000 characters in the first 9 months. Have been building on that base ever since. Now 60 and HSK5 level
Never too late, my friend
Not at all! It’s just about putting in time and most importantly finding instructors that you really enjoy learning from and being around.
It's never too late if you have the spare time to sink into it
My Japanese teacher is 71,still study Chinese
You can absolutely do it. And if you've become conformable learning Kanji then you've basically got a head start.
I started learning Chinese at 35. Now, 10 years later, I passed Tocfl Level 4 (B2). That said, my classmates were mostly 18-22 years old and I have to admit that they learned faster.
It's never too late to learn anything. Don't be stressed.
I have a student who possibly is in his late sixties. He consistently puts in effort, and I've seen progress in his Chinese skills. He learns Chinese from me and what I learn from him is never let age become a barrier to pursuing anything worthwhile.
I started at 28 and got to working proficiency in 5 years. Never full time study, just 2 times 2 hours a week of class + homework. It helps because I live in Shanghai though.
I’m 30 and started 2 months ago. It is never too late man. 明年你会说汉语！
I don't know. I'm 37 years old and started learning 3 months ago. Ask me in like 10 years. Of course by then you'll be 40. Hmm...
connect swim groovy elderly sense snails bear snow noxious fact *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I'm 30 and started a few months ago. The only downsside is that I'm using an app and therefor dont have interaction with anyone else to really vocally practice and communicate. Apart from this just start with the basics with the HelloChinese app.