Spanish for Seniors

Cleo S.
Seniors' motivation to learn Spanish may come from a variety of reasons. Some seniors are planning travel to foreign countries after they have fulfilled there job requirements and have entered retirement. A large segment of our retired seniors find themselves living in communities in places like Florida, California, and Arizona where Spanish is spoken in every aspect of daily life. Their motivation may be as simple as desiring to have the ability to communicate with the individual that mows their lawn or cleans the swimming pool. Learning Spanish can even become a social activity for seniors as they become involved in language classes in their communities in order to interact with their friends. Language lessons can even become a family activity as seniors become involved with assisting their grandchildren or other members of the family who are in the process of learning Spanish for work or school.

Many seniors share a high level of enthusiasm for learning Spanish as well as a perseverance to begin using the language whenever the opportunity arises. While many younger students are concerned with achieving the highest level of fluency as quickly as possible-usually because a grade or a job depends on their performance, many seniors should be more concerned with just enjoying the process of learning a foreign language.

Attitude speaks volumes for those individuals who don't think it's too late to begin speaking Spanish. Their enthusiasm quickly spills over to younger members of their immediate family and can create an environment where the actual process of e learning Spanish develops with less work. It's also great way for people of different generations to spend some quality time with each other and can give one another a sense that each one has accomplished something very special as their skills improve with each passing day. Seniors can encourage younger family members by conducting total immersion days, or periods of time within a day, when only the language being learned is spoken among the family members.

Spanish food music and movies can be a real draw for some seniors as these activities can involve the community at large. Seniors can enjoy the camaraderie of their friends and measure the progress they are making by using Spanish.

Of these activities and the new friends they can produce. The can also take advantage of studying Spanish abroad and making life long friend in a foreign country. Many of these schools have accommodations that can be arranged in conjunction with tuition or upon suggestions made by the school themselves. Usually these types of living arrangements will be studio or efficiency type apartments where kitchen privileges will be available. What better way to experience a new country and learn a new language!

If traveling abroad to learn Spanish doesn't have appeal, sometimes as a Senior it is just a easy to plunge ahead as long as you can keep yourself interested. Find some good books in Spanish at your local library and give them a try. Actually watch one of the Spanish language television channels you usually just flip through and if the opportunity should arise, find a Spanish speaking friend. You'll be glad you did. .

Maybe you feel it's just too tough to tackle. More work? But is it impossible? Absolutely not! When you are by yourself, studying Spanish, it is easy to notice what you all the things you are not getting, but don't let your age stop you from learning a new language. The optimal age for learning Spanish is academic but not really useful.

What really counts is your will to learn and dedication to completing the task. . When you were in your optimum time for learning a new language, chances are other things were going on like trying to provide for you family . It is only after you are older that you value the idea of learning for learning's sake. It may accidentally, just be a bit easier now because you want to learn instead of forced to learn. Stranger things have happened.

Published by Cleo S.

Hello everyone! I raise exotic birds and travel whenever I can. I love writing and Associated Content gives me a chance to hone my skills.  View profile

6 Comments

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  • Mike Spain9/30/2007

    hola!

  • Barbara Lee9/18/2007

    We're never too old to pursue interests. Great article.

  • Stephen Joltin9/11/2007

    Bien, seniorita.

  • Secretsides9/11/2007

    I love it! I taught english as a volunteer and learned a little more spanish from the students.

  • Janice Villa9/5/2007

    Interesting...and it keeps the mind exercising

  • Annette Robbins8/31/2007

    As a senior, I am taking Spanish to refresh my memory from my college days of Spanish classes. Since I have no pressure to achieve a certain grade, it has been a fun experience. I now can read some newspaper articles. Enjoyed your article. You have my vote!

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