How Older Immigrants Benefit from Learning Spanish and Why It’s Not Too Late to Learn
According to the research, old dogs can learn new tricks. The mechanisms of learning may change as we age, but this is neither good nor bad. A review of the benefits of learning a new language can stoke our motivation (necessary for older learners), while understanding how a mature brain picks up a new language can help us connect to the most effective learning methods.
Why Learn to Speak Spanish?
Learning Spanish as an adult is no easy task, especially if it’s only our second language. Still, several benefits make not only the end goal, but the process of learning itself, well worth it.
Language learning develops new neuronal connections. You may have heard that the human brain exhibits a characteristic called neuroplasticity. This means that your brain was never fixed at a certain point in your maturation, but continues to build new connections throughout your life. By applying intent to our thoughts, speech, and actions, we can build connections that benefit us. Engaging in this building process is cognitively protective. It keeps the brain healthy by boosting cognitive reserve. Those with greater cognitive reserve are more resilient in the face of age-related decline, and may even experience protection from some types of dementia.
Learning Spanish has practical benefits. Beyond the changes that occur in our brains, second language acquisition (what the academics call SLA) has real-world benefits. Even a little bit of Spanish goes a long way in helping us navigate our lives in Mexico. Remember how good it felt when you first ordered your own tacos and cerveza in Spanish? What if, by expanding your vocabulary, you could better communicate your needs at the doctor’s office, with a home health provider, or in a medical emergency?
There are social benefits to learning Spanish. The act of learning, whether we ever become fluent or not, can also provide older adults with much-needed socialization, especially if we learn in a group setting. When we take what we’ve learned and attempt to communicate with others, we have a chance to build stronger connections with our neighbors, promoting friendships and cross-cultural understanding. Because language influences our reality, learning new names for things literally helps us adopt a less black-and-white worldview. Those who are bilingual tend to be more skilled at perspective-taking. In other words, they are more empathetic.
Speaking Spanish promotes wellness in Mexico. Combine the practical and social benefits of being bilingual (or at least trying), and you can see how knowing a little Spanish can protect against stress, helps us feel more at ease and connected in our chosen home, and improves our general quality of life and sense of well-being.
As immigrants to Mexico, learning the Spanish language is not only a matter of safety and clear communication, but can help us develop a deeper understanding of Mexican culture, behavioral norms, and expectations. Native-level fluency or full integration into our local communities may always be out of reach for us gringos, I don’t know. That said, the process of trying goes a long way, and the approach toward both (fluency and cultural integration) begins with an earnest attempt to learn the Spanish language.
How to Learn Spanish as an Adult
Having fired up our motivation, we’re better equipped to begin the process of language learning. As adults, motivation is key in overcoming some of the disadvantages we may have as late learners. Chief among those disadvantages is our long-established ego.
The hard truth is, it’s impossible to learn anything without making mistakes. As an adult, when was the last time you learned something? Did you perform it perfectly after reading a book or watching a tutorial, or did you fail over and over until you got it right? How did that go for you?
As someone who used to coach adults to learn new sports, I’ve seen far too many begin then quickly quit because the required mistake-making process was simply too much to overcome. The fear of making mistakes is exactly what kept me from learning to speak French as an overly self-conscious teenager. Children, on the other hand, will fall a thousand times in their attempts to walk and think nothing of it. So too can the emotionally mature adult.
With a little logic and a lot of grace and self-compassion, we can overcome the embarrassment or shame we may feel around not instantaneously excelling at something. We can also learn to become more accepting and appreciative of feedback.
As adults learning a new language, some things are working in our favor. First, we already know at least one language, and with that, we have a basic understanding of how a noun differs from a verb, for example, and how language functions based on certain patterns. We understand how to communicate using body language and facial expressions and can use that - and a few Spanglish words - to supplement our communication.
The strength of our English vocabulary, or a familiarity with Latin roots, can be an asset as we make sense of new words. That is, until we come across those Spanish words that sound like English but aren’t. (estoy embarazado, anyone?)
Finally, the self-discipline we’ve developed as adults goes a long way. We are more likely to be able to afford the group classes or a tutor, to do our homework, to work diligently on memorization, and we can be disciplined at immersing ourselves in order to practice. That last one - immersion - is what researchers say matters most for the mature learner.
Language-Learning Tips
There are several ways to get started with language learning. Most people benefit from incorporating more than one technique. Also, consider your goals. Making small talk with your neighbors might indicate a different learning path than understanding what your doctor has to say about treatment for a chronic illness. If your goal is to make friends, an in-person group class will benefit you sooner than sitting at home with a language-learning app. Consider the following…
Language-learning apps: Apps such as Babbel and Duolingo are quite popular. They’ve learned to gamify learning to make it fun and keep you practicing. Some offer free versions, and others advanced features, such as AI-powered conversations. Starting with an app can be a good way to broaden your vocabulary and learn some basics.
Classes and Courses: You can find Spanish classes and courses online and in your local community. In Baja California Sur, where I live, the local university offers Spanish as a second language. Private instructors and schools provide one-on-one and group lessons.
Learn in Context: When I first started learning Spanish, I took a class on how to teach yoga in Spanish. This was a practical goal I cared about deeply, and it helped to learn in a context I was already familiar with. In Mexico, you’ll find Spanish classes partnered with art classes, history classes, cooking classes, and travel experiences.
Immerse Yourself: In my international community in Mexico, where English is often a common language, it’s easy to get by without speaking much Spanish. I have to intentionally use Spanish when speaking to multilingual people, listen to Spanish-language podcasts, watch movies in Spanish, read and write in Spanish, and seek out opportunities to surround myself with those who are conversing in Spanish.
Just Begin: It’s awkward at first, but there’s no way around it; we learn by doing. Start talking and make mistakes. Talk to yourself, talk to your dog, talk to your neighbors and friends. Make a pact with other learners that you’ll only speak Spanish with each other, at least for 30-minutes. Forget about fluency and just have fun.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of learning Spanish as an adult is that we understand there’s no time like the present; tomorrow is not guaranteed. So soften a bit around the goal. Forget about “I’ll use my Spanish when…” and use your Spanish today, just as it is.
Have you made progress with your language learning? In the comments, tell us what has worked for you.
