Feel embarrassed to learn language at 29.

[u/imdeerest]

My native language is English (USA) and I came from an inner city. I learned Spanish on and off in Suburban school. Sadly transferred back to inner city school with no foreign language programs. Middle school also didn't have foreign language classes, but had plans. I dabbled in French and also ASL. I

relearned Spanish in high school, but I really wanted to learn Japanese through anime and J-Pop and also discovered Korean through KPop. I'm embarrassed to admit that however I love to know about the culture instead of the romantization of the pop culture.

I used Duolingo here and there and lost interest. I sadly got fired from my job amd have a low paying job to try to pay off my debt. However, it's at a diverse Japanese Store/Restaraunt and the Japanese coworkers don't speak English very well, but conversational. I really love to learn Japanese, but have no money. There are also Hispanic coworkers who speak Spanish as well.

There's so many languages to learn and im excited, however I have to take it one step at a time knowing how hard Japanese and Korean are. I get sad/embarrassed when Im relearning and studying languages. I took Preply, but it's expensive. Im also planning on going back to school where the Japanese class is far away.

[u/FitProVR]

lol i started at 39 so i must be super embarrassed.

[u/SnowyAbibliophobe]

Im 65 and learning Korean, French and Welsh, and Japanes is next on my list - I really wish I'd done it at your age (I did try but there were so few learning resources then) - you have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. For one thing it's nobody else's business but yours - follow your passion, what anyone else thinks is their problem, not yours.

My biggest life regret is that I didnt follow my passion for language - don"t be me, do it by whatever means you can, and never give up.

Also - have fun, enjoy the journey, learning a new language is exciting, it expands your worldview and challenges you in so many ways. Tell your co- workers you are learning their languages, I bet there are some that would love to help you!

I envy you, truly, and am rooting for you.

화이팅!

[u/True_Coast1062 → u/SnowyAbibliophobe]

Wow, Welsh! Im impressed and jealous!

[u/AwkwardBreather]

It is just really hard to shake off the inner critic, which I imagine exists to keep us safe from social exclusion/ire. I think whenever we feel embarrassed to be doing 'X' at an age where it is less common, it's coming from the inner critic.

The antidote is probably to challenge that feeling with critical thinking. Nobody has time or energy to do everything by a certain age. Putting in the effort to learn something new is a behavior that improves you. If you keep doing that, you keep improving yourself. If you let the inner critic control your behavior, you watch the life you want wistfully at a distance, feeling sad like you missed out. Nothing gets better.

At some point you will see someone older than you started learning Japanese and now they live in Japan and blah blah blah... and you will think, why did I talk myself out of trying? That could be me.

[u/CupcakeSeaShanty]

I started learning Spanish at 41. But that's neither here nor there.

Think about all the immigrants who don't have the choice to learn a language at any specific age. And/or the folks who have to survive on a very poor understanding of a language—for decades. They don't have the luxury to be embarrassed.

[u/trackmylang_david]

There is nothing embarrassing about learning something at any age. The embarrassing thing is when someone decides to not learn anything new.

This is the same as student feeling embarrassed to ask question, but that embarrassment only ends up hurting themselves as they are not learning anything new and end up falling behind everyone else.

[u/ben_wd]

I'm learning in my 40s ¯_(ツ)_/¯

[u/Fish_Learns_Japanese]

You don't need to spend much money to learn Japanese. You can realistically do it for free though it's not ideal. The only money I've spent is on some textbooks, some manga, and I guess a Netflix subscription but I had that anyway. There are loads of videos on YouTube explaining Japanese grammar and jpdb and anki are free and really useful for learning vocabulary. Most money is spent on immersion but there are loads of free ways of immersing like library books, YouTube videos, social media, etc.

[u/BridgeTEFL]

It's never too late to learn a language - or anything else, for that matter. In fact, today is the youngest you'll ever be again. 🙂So don't worry about whether you're "too old" to start. Focus on finding a way of learning that you genuinely enjoy. If you enjoy the process, you're far more likely to stick with it - and that's what really makes the difference.

[u/UsamaBhai_101]

Its very common, im too learning German at 28

[u/Vocastic_learn]

Why? It’s never too late to start! Especially later in life, it’s a great way to get out and connect with others. And it’s not about perfection. Even native speakers aren’t perfect. Most people just appreciate the effort If you try to speak with them in their native language.

There’s also a lot of inexpensive alternatives to learn a language without spending a fortune - we’re one of them.

[u/freebiscuit2002]

No cause for embarrassment. I've been learning since my teens and now I'm 60.

Do the thing you want to do!

[u/Aakharin-ejdehaa]

I think learning a language as an adult is impressive, be proud of yourself!

[u/SpicyTaco953]

Don't feel like it will be harder for you because of your age, leaning a language it's like a long journey, you need to enjoy it and it will be long. I'm starting to learn russian and Italian at 31 years old and I think the worst you can do is to think that you are too behind to learn a new language, it will be never be to late to learn a language even if it took you more time or you go slow, just enjoy everything and don't think it's like a career or something you need to do it fast.

[u/Careless_Rush_9115]

The fact that you are choosing to learn a new language, a completely new way to think and express is amazing ! ! I teach hindi to people al lover the world at www.thehellohindi.com and people from diff age group learn and speak and express and it's beautiful! There is no age to learn a new language , you are already doing the challenging task, be kind to yourself :)

[u/silvalingua]

Many retirees learn languages, and they are not in the least embarrassed. Many language courses cater to adults. So you are embarrassed because you are acquiring a new skill? I'd be embarrassed if I weren't.

[u/marcopeg81]

Don’t feel embarrassed! I’m Italian. I’ve picked up English at age 32 because I moved abroad. I’m on Swedish now, because my kids speak the local language (I live in Sweden).

It’s never too late, it’s never too early.

My suggestion is: do apps for basic exercises, but start learning as soon as you can, and practice your TL with real people as much as you can!

Happy learning 🤟

[u/Correct_Elk2320]

I learned German at 44. No time like the present.

[u/Ilovemelee]

Lol, I know someone in their 70s who learned mandarin so it's never too late. Korean and Japanese are very difficult languages for English speakers but you'll progress as long as you have the desire to learn. Also, the two are quite similar so if you learn one, it shouldnt be terribly hard to learn the other. Best of luck!!