Learning Spanish for Older Adults: 3 Student Success Stories
In this post on learning Spanish for older adults, you’ll hear from four learners who became proficient after 60 and discover exactly how they did it.
As a Spanish teacher specializing in working with adults, I've met some truly remarkable folks who prove age is just a number when it comes to becoming proficient in Spanish. They’re here to show us all what is possible when learning Spanish for older adults.
Meet Linda, John, Larry, and Limell: four students, all above the age of 60. These four have completely amazed me as I’ve watched them go from uncomfortable and awkward low intermediate levels to calm and confident low advanced levels in just a few years.
And they didn’t stop with ‘simply’ moving up a few levels in their Spanish fluency. These inspiring Spanish learners are out there making connections, experiencing new cultures, and seeing the world from a different perspective.
Their experiences prove that learning a new language can open up a world of possibilities and bring immense joy, no matter your life stage.
In today’s post, we’ll delve into the stories of these four learners, examining their strategies, struggles, and, above all, their victories.
If you’ve ever felt that learning Spanish for older adults sounds daunting, prepare to be inspired.
And what if you’re hoping to improve your Spanish like these four did--and wondering what is the best way to learn Spanish as an older adult?
Well, we’re about to ask the experts.
While reading this post, consider these questions:
What are your current beliefs about learning Spanish as an adult--or an older adult? Do you assume it will be more difficult?
What new freedoms or superpowers do you have as an adult learning Spanish?
How can you combine Spanish learning with other habits that are great for your health and well-being at any age--like exercising, staying creative, or making social connections?
Let’s hear from some inspiring individuals who learned Spanish after 60.
Meet Limell, who didn’t love learning Spanish in college but went on to use Spanish as a volunteer and in other real-life situations after 60.
A retired Senior Director of Campus IT turned passionate Spanish learner, Limell decided to pursue her lifelong dream of learning Spanish at 61. Her volunteer work showed her firsthand how being multilingual could benefit her community. Limell (61) told me about her experience in her own words:
“When I was volunteering for refugees at the border between Arizona and Mexico a few years ago. I realized that I could be more useful to the refugees and the various agencies involved if I could speak Spanish.”
Limell (61) didn’t always thrive learning Spanish. She never quite connected with the traditional teaching strategies as a 19-year-old in college but returned with a new-found focus and dedication as an older adult.
Armed with confidence, freedom to learn how she felt best, and new learning strategies inspired by polyglots, her learning took off when she put her mind to studying Spanish.
I asked Limell (61) about one of her proudest moments as a Spanish learner, and here’s what she said:
“While traveling in Ecuador during the Winter of 2023, I had to make a variety of phone calls to native Spanish speakers. It was always nerve-wracking and always thrilling. On the same trip, I was able to translate for a fellow traveler, and that was fun.”
Limell (61) has gone on to use her Spanish to volunteer in refugee resettlement organizations and continues to help Spanish speakers in shops in her hometown when the occasion arises.
Now we’ll hear from Linda, the Texan who added Spanish to her life, and a few new friendships too.
At 76, Linda knows that learning doesn’t have to stop just because you become “chronologically enriched”--as she puts it. And that when you add Spanish to your life, you can make some incredible cross-cultural friendships.
Linda (76) previously worked as an elementary school teacher and had many reasons to push her Spanish proficiency, such as connecting more deeply with her friends and family, including Antonio—a longtime friend from Mexico—and his family.
It all started when the venue for Antonio’s daughter’s wedding fell through, and Linda (76) offered to hold the wedding at her home. Here’s what she had to say about it:
“They looked around and chose a little rock patio in the backyard, one Antonio had built for me about 10 years ago. They had so much fun decorating, and the wedding was very nice. I can’t tell you how much I loved having them here. Now, they all seem like family to me, so of course, I wanted to learn their language.”
Since she started learning Spanish, Linda (76) has celebrated several important milestones, like having short conversations with Antonio’s family and even being able to help with negotiations in Spanish.
When it comes to learning a new language, her advice for older adults is to "Go for it!"
Now, let me introduce Larry, a 75-year-old North Carolina native who decided to learn Spanish at age 60.
With a career that took him from minister to the world of real estate and ultimately into IT, Larry (75) has a history of being a self-led learner. He taught himself computing at his father’s company and then went on to train the entire staff, ultimately leading to a career in computer training and assistance.
When I asked him what made him begin learning Spanish seriously, he came back to the theme of learning--and teaching. Here’s what he said:
“At age 60, I was attending an Intro to Spanish class offered at our church, and the teacher asked me to take a minute and ask myself, ‘If I could actually learn to speak Spanish, what would I really like to do with it?’ My answer was, ‘I’m 60 years old, and I don’t even know if I could, but if I could, I’d like to help Spanish speakers learn English by explaining how to use their Spanish to learn English.”
Despite being unsure if he could actually learn Spanish as an adult, Larry (75) went on to make great strides--and ultimately was able to teach English to native Spanish speakers.
“Since the pandemic, I still teach one-on-one. I love visiting with my students in Spanish, as well as explaining in Spanish when necessary.”
Larry (75) was even interviewed once by one of his community’s Spanish newspapers--and did the entire interview in Spanish.
And finally, let’s talk about how John became conversational in 6 months--with his incredibly dedicated Spanish routine.
John, a 74-year-old former actuary living in Tennessee, took up Spanish in his retirement years--just 5 years ago! So if you're wondering how long it takes to become conversational in Spanish--or reach even higher proficiency levels of Spanish, John (74) might be a source of inspiration for you.
John, a 74-year-old former actuary living in Tennessee, took up Spanish in his retirement years--just 5 years ago! So if you’re wondering how long it takes to become conversational in Spanish--or reach even higher proficiency levels of Spanish, John (74) might be a source of inspiration for you.
I asked John (74) what it was like when he first started learning Spanish, and here’s what he said:
“When I started learning Spanish, I was struck by how logical it seemed relative to English. I made quick progress, and I was able to read and understand the gist of quite a bit of Spanish text after 6 months.”
John (74) is living proof of how you can leverage your wisdom and experience in your Spanish learning as an older adult. He also exemplifies what’s possible when you commit yourself to regular learning.
While John (74) thinks every adult Spanish learner will have a unique Spanish learning routine, he shared his way of staying consistent. Here’s what he said:
“Every Sunday, I make a list of Spanish learning activities (reading, writing, speaking, listening) to complete during the coming week. And I feel the satisfaction of checking off each one as I complete it.”
I’ll leave you with one of John’s most significant milestones as a Spanish learner so far--in his words:
“My proudest moment occurred when I was first able to have an hour-long, unstructured conversation with my Spanish teacher on a variety of diverse topics. Of course, I made mistakes, but we understood each other, and that felt great.”
Learn how to go from an intermediate to advanced Spanish level with this FREE guide.
So, what can you learn from these success stories of these older adults learning Spanish?
These incredible Spanish learners have SO much to teach us.
Here are the important lessons and recommendations from these veteran Spanish learners who became proficient later in life.
If you only remember one thing today--remember that learning Spanish as an older adult is possible.
You might be starting entirely from scratch like John (74). Or feel like you didn’t have a good experience with Spanish in school like Limell (61).
And you might be wondering if learning Spanish as an older adult means fighting an uphill battle. But, Linda (76), Larry (75), John (74), and Limell (61) are living proof that there are 3 serious advantages to learning Spanish later in life. Why? Because…
Learning Spanish as an older adult can be a superpower. You’ve got years and years of experience in mastering one language, which you can then compare to Spanish.
As an older adult, you may have more time and freedom to choose a Spanish learning style that works for you, the ideal teacher for you, and follow a dedicated study routine.
You may have more time and motivation to seek out the kinds of social connections that can really boost your Spanish learning--like making friends with Spanish speakers, becoming a teacher or volunteer, or just helping out in your community.
Learning Spanish as an Older Adult Helps You Create Bonds and Connections.
Do you know what I find so inspiring about these stories? Linda (76), Limell (61), John (74), and Larry (75) didn’t just leverage social situations to supercharge their Spanish. As it turns out, learning to speak Spanish opened up social connections and friendships in their lives.
Every one of them had some new friend they’d made, a book club they’d joined, or someone in their community they’d met because of their Spanish learning habit. We know that social connections are fundamental to emotional and physical well-being at any age, so when you add Spanish to your life, it changes you--for the better.
Pursuing Spanish helps you explore your interests, too.
Just like Larry (75) was able to fulfill his lifelong calling of learning and teaching, Limell (61) was able to help refugees.
Can you think of an interest that you would love to explore? And have you stopped to think about how those passions and hobbies benefit you?
Now, just imagine what it’s like to combine your passions and interests for incredibly effective learning--and the social connections we were just talking about.
Do you know what else every one of these incredible people I interviewed also have in common?
They’ve all participated in the Spanish language book club I run--the ELÉVATE Intermediate Spanish Book Immersion Program. Some of them have taken it several times.
Joining a book club is the perfect example of leveraging your interests and creating social connections to impact your Spanish learning profoundly.
Regardless of your interests, I’m confident there is a way to tap into them, boost your Spanish learning, and add fun and engagement to your life.
The LIVE community experience for intermediate Spanish learners to develop reading and writing skills through the deep dive of a contemporary Spanish book.
Learning Spanish will open doors to lifelong learning and keep you young at heart.
Who doesn’t want to be a lifelong learner--and why should that change once you’re over 60? I love what Limell (61) had to say on this topic:
“I realize that I keep using the word “thrilling,” but it really is the most apt word to describe my language-learning journey. I am a physically disabled woman in her 60s, but the door to lifelong learning is still open to me. I just need to walk through and pursue my dreams and not let thoughts about my age hold me back in any way. Everyone ages at a different rate. I know that staying curious, open-minded, and ever-learning will keep me young at heart. That’s invaluable.”
Choosing to pick up a language as an older adult is an incredible way to embrace learning over your entire life and reap the many benefits of learning Spanish as an older adult.
So, what’s the best way to learn Spanish as an older adult? Ask the experts.
We’ve heard some inspiring stories about these Spanish learners that show us that becoming proficient in Spanish as an adult is possible--and incredibly rewarding.
At this point, you might be wondering how exactly you can get started learning Spanish--as an older adult, or at any point in your adult life.
I want to share some of the wisdom and strategies of these incredible learners who became conversational in Spanish after 60--and in a matter of years.
You’ll notice that each of them has their preferred method and learning style--and maybe that’s one of the most important lessons we can learn from them: the importance of taking charge of how you learn Spanish as an adult--and learning your way.
Here are some favorite learning strategies for older adults learning Spanish
John (74) shares some of his wisdom for when you’re first starting out:
“I think that to learn a language at any age, it is necessary to have a clear goal and to establish a routine to achieve that goal. I also think that it’s important to focus on learning the basic grammar rules right from the start.”
Here’s how Linda (76) approaches her language learning:
“Find a class or an informal group and a good teacher (like Dominique), and just have fun with it…I keep a notebook to write down vocabulary words and phrases, verb conjugations, homework assignments, etc., and try to read over the entire thing every week. That helps me keep things in my mind.
Larry (75) noted that his strategies were really more about understanding his learning style than his age.
Although he suggested that every adult learner will need to find their own strategy, here is what worked for Larry (74):
“I like to read out loud, as well as imitate the rhythm of Spanish speakers. I also spend a good amount of time listening to podcasts designed for Spanish-language learners. Interestingly, I have discovered that many “seniors” are learning Spanish throughout the world.”
And here are a few of Limell’s (61) thoughts on learning Spanish--even when the going gets tough:
“When you get discouraged, remember that your brain is learning even if it’s not evident to you in the moment. It will come. Make friends with other students who are on the same journey and talk to them regularly. It will keep you motivated. ALWAYS remember to have fun. If it’s not fun, try a different technique for a while.”
Now it’s time to reflect on which of these Spanish-learning strategies could work for you.
How could you take a little inspiration from these four and craft your own language-learning routine?
What skills would you target? Are there basics you need to cover? Experiences you’d love to have?
And what about specific resources, courses, and programs for getting started?
The self-paced course series for adults looking to take their Spanish way beyond the basics and reach an intermediate conversational level.
Linda (76), Limell (61), Larry (75), and John (74) recommended a few resources, courses, and programs.
This team of older adults who have become proficient in Spanish had great suggestions for resources and courses you can use now. For example…
Listening to podcasts to boost your Spanish with authentic listening. If you’re just starting out, pick an intermediate-level Spanish podcast like, News in Slow Spanish is an example. Or the Duolingo Podcast. And if you’re pushing to become more advanced in Spanish, try one of these podcasts.
Keeping a notebook to write down vocabulary words and phrases, verb conjugations, homework assignments, etc., and try to read over the entire thing every week--like Linda (76).
Reading books in Spanish, including reading aloud, to bridge the gap between reading and speaking.
Finding a Spanish teacher who is right for you and working with them one-on-one or in small conversation groups.
Fill your bookshelf with leveled readers such as Olly Richard’s Story Learning materials.
Get your hands on structured courses that combine reading, writing, listening, and speaking--such as the ALAS Basic Spanish and VUELA Intermediate Spanish course series.
Or joining an immersive book club experience like my ELÉVATE Intermediate Spanish Book Immersion Program.
Once you dive in and start learning Spanish, I’m sure you’ll begin to discover a world of resources and courses that are there to help you on your way. And if you keep it up, you’ll undoubtedly have your own success story and strategies to share.
These are simply a few suggestions from some inspiring and incredible older adults who became proficient in Spanish. Remember, what they all have in common is their dedication to creating their own Spanish learning experience. So here’s a question for you:
Are there any of these strategies you can imagine adding to your personalized Spanish practice? Because, as an adult learning Spanish, it’s really up to you.
Takeaways:
They say wisdom comes with age, but can it help you become proficient in Spanish?
I think Linda (76), Larry (75), John (74), and Limell (61) have shown us that having a few more decades of experience is not a barrier but an asset when it comes to having what it takes to reach a conversational level of Spanish.
So, what can we distill from their experiences?
Remember that they used personalized strategies. These older adults had the wisdom to choose learning methods that best suit their needs. Take a page from their book and ditch the one-size-fits-all approach.
Don’t forget the power of authentic engagement. Seize opportunities to engage in real-life conversations, immerse yourself in Spanish-speaking environments, and explore your interests for a more effective and rewarding experience.
Remind yourself that language isn't just vocabulary, grammar, or fluency. It's a tool for connecting with other human beings--and sometimes entire communities. You can use social connections to boost your learning, but you’ll also benefit from how those connections change your life.
If you’ve ever hesitated to take the plunge and start learning Spanish as an older adult, I hope these stories will inspire you. You have unique advantages and an incredible range of life experiences on your side.
Age, as they say, is just a number—but the ways that Spanish will change your life are countless.
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