It helps if you already know some foreign languages, just so you get the idea of what you need to know for a language.

I'm studying what will be the 5th foreign language I know (Mandarin Chinese), so I pretty much approach it now with an understanding of linguistics. The first things I try to understand are how verbs are handled (are they declined? how is past and future tense formed, if it exists? do perfect tenses exist?), if gender is used, etc. Then I learn 20 verbs, the basic numbers, the question words (who, what, where...) and start making sentences from that.

What I'm doing this time around is I have class once a week, but it's not focused exactly on my needs (I travel for business) so I also meet with a native speaker student at a university twice a week for a 1-hour study session. That works well for my learning style. I've never used programs like Rosetta since I just don't have the discipline to stop work and focus on it. Classes and tutoring force me out of the house and to actually study.

I'd say as long as you can spend some time studying, and you know what study methods work best for you, you'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:Claro que SI!!!

PP of the above post. OP, I'm sorry! I meant to say that of course you can still learn Spanish, but I just saw your subject line in the forum and realized your question was "Am I too old?" So sorry if it seemed like I was saying you're too old!! You're not - go for it!

we moved overseas when I was 4 and my sibling and I picked it up quickly and are fluent. Dad moved there while in college and learned it well but has an accent. Mom learned it when we moved overseas when I was 4 and she speaks it pretty well but has more of an accent...but sure you can do it. Some people have an easy time picking up languages and it helps if you already speak a second language

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is Rosetta Stone considered the best product to learn? I have a learn in your car from Pentum Overseas that seems to be good and I hate buying more stuff if it is unnecessary. Also, for the person with the Foreign Service dad, don't they test for the ability to learn languages before they join?

Rosetta Stone is good, but then I don't know Pentum Overseas.

No, they don't test before you join. They test afterwards, and the score is simply informational. You see a range of abilities. FS dad (described in the PP) was clearly gifted.

OP, what prior language knowledge/exposure do you have? I think it helps, the more you have.

I say go for it.

Very limited prior experience. Both parents know at least two languages (including, Russian, German and French) and sister was a master of languages speaking French fluently (like a native) and bits and pieces of Spanish, Italian, and Thai. I am the language slacker in the family but really want to be fluent in Spanish so that I can go to South America and communicate.

I agree wit the PP who said that it depends. Some people have an easy time picking up languages, and it definitely helps if you are already speaking another foreign language or two. Others can live in a foreign country for years and never pick up more than a few phrases. But it can't hurt, so go for it - maybe you have a gift and you don't even know it, OP!

Anonymous wrote:Is Rosetta Stone considered the best product to learn? I have a learn in your car from Pentum Overseas that seems to be good and I hate buying more stuff if it is unnecessary. Also, for the person with the Foreign Service dad, don't they test for the ability to learn languages before they join?

Rosetta Stone is good, but then I don't know Pentum Overseas.

No, they don't test before you join. They test afterwards, and the score is simply informational. You see a range of abilities. FS dad (described in the PP) was clearly gifted.

OP, what prior language knowledge/exposure do you have? I think it helps, the more you have.

I say go for it.

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it has been scientifically proven that 47 is the latest you can learn Spanish. French you can learn up to 53, but not Spanish.

I thought it was German that you couldn't learm after 51 so thanks for setting me right.

OP, you are never too old to learn.

Is Rosetta Stone considered the best product to learn? I have a learn in your car from Pentum Overseas that seems to be good and I hate buying more stuff if it is unnecessary. Also, for the person with the Foreign Service dad, don't they test for the ability to learn languages before they join?