7 reasons you’re never too old to learn a language

⬇️ GET MY FREE STORYLEARNING® KIT:

In this video, you'll learn 7 reasons you're never too old to learn a language.

My name is Olly Richards, and on this channel I document my experiments in foreign language acquisition:

• Rapid language learning
• Writing Chinese characters
• Languages and travel...on location!
• Daily study routines
• Advanced level tactics

To see some of my previous experiments, why not try...

• Learn Italian in 3 months:

• Learn Thai in 14 Days:

• Daily Study Routines and Schedules

To ask me language questions, join my Facebook community:

Listen to the podcast:

...or search "I Will Teach You A Language" wherever you get your podcasts! (iTunes, Spotify, etc)

[chokrihamouda]

I am 58 years old and I started learning Spanish and within less than a year reached the B1 level. By the way Spanish is my forth language.

[sharifa]

I am 74 years old and my best foreign language is German, second is English an now I am retired and started to learn Italian! My mother tongue is Finnish!

[arielle]

I’m 65. Learning a language now has been WAY easier and more enjoyable than it was when I was a teenager.

[ABetterYouEm]

I HATED languages when I learned in school but I've fallen on love with them as an 33 year old, because of the benefits they provide when travelling.

[catlady]

I started to learn Spanish 4 years ago at age 44. One is never too old to learn anything new. Learning something new, including a language, as an adult gives your life more excitement and opportunities.

[AmericanEnglishBrent]

I turn 45 next week. I’ve been studying Italian for 18 months and had my first lesson with an Italian tutor today. I use LingQ everyday, and I have three of Olly’s books.

[kimerswell]

I'm in my mid-sixties and at present making good progress at french. Started learning Welsh at 56 and am now to a standard where I've spoken on radio and television in Wales...Advanced years are definitely not a hiderance.

[RaphaPortoRP]

My mom started to learn french at 60 years old, she is 62 now and is so good to see her happiness when she understands music and radio news in french.

[o_felipe_reis]

You are so right man! I learned my first foreign language when I was 27. Today I speak 5 languages. Best regards from Brazil!

[jordoc]

You are exactly right Olly. Learning a language is rewarding . I am 73, still working full time and try to find time to learn Russian, French and Spanish. I get rewarded when i can read some of language, practice speaking, and sentence building. I would get discouraged if I was expected to "be fluent ". Not being afraid to make mistakes when I speak a little to a native speaker is a part of learning. Many of them appreciate the effort. I am enjoying your uncovered French and Spanish course as well as Conversations course . It takes time to go thru these but has helped my vocabulary because of sentence structure.

[jazzyeric]

I'm American. At age 50 I met the 35 year old Brazilian girl on Facebook. I had never tried nor was even interested in learning another lauguage. Google translate was our tool. Today, five years later, I speak Portuguese and I'm marrying the girl in January.

[colinlyne]

Thanks Ollie. I’m 74 and plodding with Russian!

[bijl]

I’m Dutch, 67 and started learning Norwegian because I love the country and going on holiday there. I use the app Mesmerise on my phone. This app works for me. Everyday I practice. Often more than once a day and I love it! Looking forward to my next holiday!

[joannarigby]

I needed this video. I’m 34 and learning another language for the first time. I’d been watching lots of polyglot and language learning videos on YouTube and lots of them are from young people, I feel very old! As a mum of two toddlers and working in a busy stressful career, it’s been a challenge finding time and (more importantly!) energy to study and fit it in around all my other commitments.

[stuartlong]

Good inspirational stuff Olly!! I'm 60 and revisiting my schoolboy French and German plus Italian. Probably up to B1 with each. How far do I want to go? Who cares - the journey's the thing as you said. The only thing in life I'm scared of is dementia or similar, so glad you gave that a mention. Nothing however prepared me for the shock of learning you're 39 though!!

[susycasteya]

Hi!!! I' m 71 years old. Y knew a bit of. English but now I' ve decided to prove ypur method which seems to me very original, new concept of learning. Thanks Richard for encouraging me.

[EireDiplomat]

Really liking these types of videos Olly! Keep them coming :)

[nurlaniskakov]

Thanks a lot, Olly
For sharing your thoughts

[AA-kfjp]

Olly is exactly right! At 78 the most important thing I have learned is how to learn. And for me the next is your personal motivation. In my middle age, I lived for years in India and attended an immersive course in Hindi. My advantage was that I knew how I learned languages — just like Olly says. Plus I was motivated. I became fully literate and kept practicing even when back in America.
And Olly’s guidance is so right about the resources of online apps. Flash cards and apps are so much more efficient. And now if you’ll pardon me, I need to get back to learning Croatian for an upcoming trip. You’re never too old to learn!

[roydevries]

I'll be 77 this year and I've been improving my acquisition of Italian as my 5th language after my native Dutch and I found your overview on this topic encouraging. Luckily I enjoy practicing it with friends who speak Italian either as a first or second language. Thank you for the exposition.