Spanish for Seniors: 13 Extraordinary Benefits of Learning Language After Age 60
Some people wonder if they can still learn a language after 60, while others enjoy the benefits of learning Spanish at this age. On which side are you?
Keep reading if you want to learn about the myth of learning a foreign language at an older age, if you can learn Spanish after 60, and 13 of the most extraordinary benefits of learning Spanish at this age.
The Myth About Learning a Foreign Language at an Older Age
As a Spanish teacher, one of the most common questions I get asked is: “Why is it harder to learn a language when older?” Also expressed in this other way: “Am I too old to learn a language?”
My quick answers to those questions: It isn’t and you aren’t.
Let me explain myself. These questions come from a misconception about the way our brain works. For a long time, neuroscientists believed that the adult brain was a fixed structure, but a new body of research dating back to the 1960s shows that “one can never be too old to learn something new.”
I also tell my students that they shouldn’t worry about when they learn the language, but how they learn it. That’s the important part.
Is It Hard To Learn a Language at 60?
At this point I’m just going to rely on conventional wisdom and answer with a few questions: Is riding a bike harder at 60 than at 20? Is reading a book harder at 60? Is life in general harder at 60?
I mean, that’s life, right? For babies, everything seems so easy. Of course, some things are harder to do at an older age as neuroplasticity decreases with time and your brain becomes less able to modify itself.
But not everything has to be harder. There are some areas of language learning that become easier with age. For example, as an older person odds are you have a larger vocabulary than a younger one, which makes it easier to pick up new vocabulary in your second language.
Can a 60-Year-Old Learn Spanish?
Definitely. Without a doubt. Over the years, I’ve had so many students over 60 that are living proof of that. So, that myth about older people not being able to learn new languages is just that: a myth.
Let me show you now some of the benefits of learning Spanish after 60.
13 Benefits of Learning Spanish After 60
Learning a second language has a lot of benefits at any age, but some get a new whole meaning after 60. Here you have 13 extraordinary benefits of learning Spanish after 60:
1. Facilitates Your Travels
One of the benefits of getting older is that you have more time (and money) to travel around the world. Well, I’ve got news for you, speaking Spanish makes traveling to Latin America and Spain much easier as you can communicate directly with the locals, learn about their culture and make the most of your trip.
2. Helps With Your Retirement Plans
Following the same logic from the previous spot, if you have ever planned to retire overseas in a sunny, tropical beach town in Mexico or Central America, speaking the language will make the whole process much easier.
3. Improves Cognition
Bilingualism improves cognition and is beneficial to your brain health. Learning a new language after 60 helps to make your brain more efficient and flexible. Also, research shows that monolingual people develop dementia earlier than people who speak two languages.
4. Boosts Your Brain Power
Keeping with the health side benefits of learning Spanish, you have to understand that your brain is like any muscle that needs exercise to stay in form. Learning Spanish is like going to the gym for your brain, keeping it sharp and healthy as you expand your knowledge about this new language.
5. Expands Your Reading Options
Reading is one of the greatest pleasures of life and avoiding translated editions comes very close. When I was able to read my favorite English-speaking authors, such as Jack Kerouac or Phillip Roth, in their original English language editions it was just mind-blowing how the whole context of the book changed.
Speaking Spanish opens a whole new world of books and a fascinating culture waiting for you hiding behind those pages.
6. Gives New Meaning To Exotic Cuisines
With age, one learns to enjoy the finest things in life, and there’s nothing better than trying exotic food and delicious international cuisines. One of the most overlooked benefits of learning Spanish is the door it opens up for you to explore the delicious cuisines of Latin America.
7. Builds Cultural Appreciation
This one goes hand in hand with the previous two benefits of learning Spanish after 60. Because learning a language is a mind opener, it provides you with the tools to appreciate a different culture and understand its peculiarities in a new light.
So yes, it helps to better understand the Spanish literature and different cuisines, but also the histories of these countries, their artistic movements, and their overall way of life.
8. Encourages New Experiences
By learning Spanish for seniors you open the door to a whole lot of new experiences. If you’re into dancing, you may get to go to a Latino Salsa group, or perhaps you’re able to engage in all those 5 de Mayo events that you’ve always been afraid to try because you didn’t speak Spanish.
9. Makes You a Better Listener
As you need to focus harder when speaking in your new language. If you don’t pay attention, it gets more difficult to understand what other people are telling you. As a consequence of all of this, you become a better listener.
10. Keeps Your Brain Young
Different studies have shown that switching from one language to another “activates areas of the brain responsible for executive functioning.” It also stimulates the area of your brain responsible for completing tasks.
11. Boosts Your Self Esteem
Learning Spanish for seniors is not a small feat, so being able to learn a new language at an older age is an achievement to be celebrated. You’ll feel good about it and get a confidence boost.
12. Grows Your Social Circle
From your Spanish lessons classmates to your new salsa partner, learning Spanish for seniors is a great way to improve your social skills and get to know more people.
13. Broadens Your Taste for Films and TV Shows in Spanish
Just like reading Gabriel García Márquez in Spanish is a whole different experience than doing it in English editions, watching Almodóvar or Cuarón films in their original language is so much more interesting. You have a huge set of movies and TV shows to watch in Spanish and practice your listening skills while doing so.
What Is the Best Way for an Older Person To Learn Spanish?
As with most things in life, the answer to this question depends on your own particular situation. For some people, a full immersion approach is the best way to go. However, not everyone has the possibility to do something like that.
I recommend a balanced approach that makes use of different tools and focuses mainly on developing speaking and listening skills, without forgetting about reading and writing ones. Although these days you can make use of different technologies to achieve your goal of learning Spanish for seniors, I strongly recommend you to use a method with a guiding light, such as a private tutor, a language partner, or a native teacher.
Forget About Your Age and Start Learning Spanish Today!
As you can see, the benefits of learning Spanish after 60 are many and diverse. But the main thing is that age is just a number, an idea in your head. Do you want to learn Spanish for seniors? Your answer to that question is all that matters.
Sign up for a free class with one of our certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala, they teach over 24,000 actively enrolled students every month, offer flexible scheduling, and tailored Spanish programs. They have a lot of experience teaching Spanish for seniors and can help you get where you want to go.
Join one of the 40,000 classes that we teach each month and you can experience results like these
“This is the best way for your kid to learn Spanish. It’s one-on-one, taught by native Spanish speakers, and uses a curriculum.”
– Sharon K, Parent of 3
“It’s a great way to learn Spanish, from native Spanish speakers in a 1-on-1 environment. It’s been fairly easy to schedule classes around my daughter’s other classes. The best value for us has been ordering multiple classes at a time. All the instructors have been great!”
– Cindy D, Parent of 3
“HSA offers very affordable, quality, one on one classes with a native speaker. My son has greatly benefited from taking classes. We have seen his confidence increase as well as his pronunciation improve, because he learns from a native Spanish speaker. HSA has quick, personal customer service. Our family has been very pleased with our experience so far!”
– Erica P. Parent of 1
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