Age as a barrier to learning?

[Kitosdad]

German is proving so difficult to learn ( speaking personally ), that it has motivated me to ask others if age is an hidden barrier to learning, or merely an hurdle that one has to leap over.

An elderly neighbour of my acquaintance set herself a target to learn a language each year, and astounded her teachers by being able to do so.

Several years have passed since last meeting her, ( I was living in Torquay at that time ) and in our last conversation, she proudly told me she could speak German, Dutch, Spanish, French and Belgian, and all at a better than " Intermediate " level.

Considering my miserable progress, even after having been immersed in the language for years, I shudder to meet her again, and to discover she can speak in several more.
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Englishman living in Germany.

[Shyone]

No, I think it's just determination, how badly you really want something. That has nothing to do with age but with the goal you have set for yourself, and how hard you work on it.
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No comment

[SkiIucK]

You said it yourself, Kitosdad. Perseverance. Daily, unceasing perseverance.

[Kitosdad]

SkiIucK, you are quite right, but we are the very last ones to ever follow our own advice Mate.
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Englishman living in Germany.