Too Old to Learn Portuguese? | Inspiring Stories & Strategies for Learning Portuguese at Any Age!

[@TalktheStreets]

Coming to Portugal later in life? Tell me about your plans!’ 🎉

[@jennyanneslater]

Olá Liz, a wee update for you. We arrived on Saturday and have been kept busy on the land, so I jumped at the chance to go to town today! I had not one, but FOUR conversations with native speakers. Sure I was nervous….more importantly, I was understood and the woman in the padaria remarked on how good my accent is for someone who’s been learning a short time! What a result, thanks to Portuguese Pro 🥳🎉xxx

[@TalktheStreets]

This is wonderful Jenny!! So proud of you! Please feel free to share this inside our community as well 🥰

[@j.heilig7239]

You’re NEVER too old! My mom was 50 when she started working toward being a Certified Financial Planner. I was 42 when I started nursing school, and 55 when I started anesthesia school. I’ll be 62 when I get to Portugal, and I fully intend to make learning to speak Portuguese (probably really badly, but I’ll be understood!) my full time occupation. And I plan on learning to play the piano as well!

[@TalktheStreets]

Way to go!! Love this 😊

[@ManghanitaKempadoo]

Thanks for your great videos... at 70 I am using my Portuguese daily, now I live here!

[@TalktheStreets]

Glad you like them!

[@sarahnd]

It is absolutely never too late to learn a language. One advantage we oldsters have is that with age we become less self-conscious. Who cares if we make fools of ourselves? We will have fun doing it.😂😂 I started learning Portuguese 6 months ago at the age of 70. We are only in Portugal for a month or so every year, but I thought it was just the challenge I needed to get my brain back after 2 1/2 years of Long Covid. Yes, things fly right out of my head, but if I keep at it and (as you said) repeat, repeat, repeat… it surprises me by becoming automatic and unconscious.

[@TalktheStreets]

So true! 😊 Well done for taking on this challenge!

[@ronbh12]

you are a great teacher thank you for motivating us

[@SooMcshaw-n8o]

Just discovered you and what a great set of teaching videos. We plan to settle in Portugal in retirement so want to learn Portuguese before we settle to give ourselves and new community the best start Congratulations to the folk here who are living their best life and doing so well with your help

[@TalktheStreets]

Wonderful! So glad you're enjoying the channel :) I recommend checking out my free lesson for beginners if you want to get started with the language: www.talkthestreets.com/speak-portuguese-like-a-pro

[@nickoakley8465]

I am 65, and speak Portuguese almost fluently. (and I'm told with quite a good accent). I did not understand a single word aged 40. I'm not boasting, just saying it's possible. I could already speak quite good French, and understanding the bulding blocks of French (a Romance language) so I had a head start. I subscribed to a university course at University of Essex, where they teach Brazilian Portuguese as part of a Latin American studies degree. I did three years of course. 3 hours of lessons and three hours homework weekly. Aside from that I surrounded myself with Portuguese (radio, satellite TV, KZbin, spotify etc), and made a hobby of it. Good luck everyone.

[@ianstobie]

The tendency to fall asleep definitely seems to increase with age! 💤 I've left it too late to move to Portugal, and have given up on my plans to move there. On the plus side, Portuguese is a good language to learn to keep you interested in life. It is beautiful, and it has artists capable of saying things that help us as we go along our way. Saudade solta Eu peguei em saudades tuas Fui plantá-las no meu jardim Porque sei que assim continuas Aqui bem juntinho a mim E cantando a saudade eu sei Algo aqui há de nascer Se tristeza eu semeei Alegria hei de colher Alegria hei de colher Pedrinhas que houver eu hei de tirar E todas as ervas daninhas à volta E o que vier virá lembrar O que a vida prende a saudade solta E sombras que houver eu hei de afastar E todas as ervas daninhas à volta E o que vier virá lembrar O que a vida prende a saudade solta Novos dias vão chegar Outras memórias felizes E o vento que nos vergar Não nos vai quebrar raízes E cantando eu sei que fica A saudade bem aqui E a esperança que nos dá vida Em mim não terá o fim Sei que vais esperar por mim Pedrinhas que houver eu hei de tirar E todas as ervas daninhas à volta E o que vier virá lembrar O que a vida prende a saudade solta E sombras que houver eu hei de afastar E todas as ervas daninhas à volta E o que vier virá lembrar O que a vida prende a saudade solta Voz: Mariza Letra: Pedro da Silva Martins Álbum: Mundo

[@BBrandtPDX]

Almost 70 now; I've been teaching myself to read Portuguese for the past year. It's working. I'm enjoying Público articles daily and decreasing use of the translator app to help. Now, I'm hoping to apply (and get accepted) to the Talk the Streets program sometime in the next year so I can use spoken Portuguese. I've no doubt that native English speakers in my age group can learn to speak Portuguese. After a delightful three months in Lisbon earlier in 2023, I've got another seven weeks coming up March-May 2024. I'll use that time to explore the legal & practical aspects of a move. It the pieces fall into place (fingers crossed!) I'll make the move in 2025. Liz, you've been an inspiration. Thank you!

[@TalktheStreets]

Thank you so much for sharing! So exciting, I'd love to help you out! ☺️

[@nazlinjetha4863]

Very encouraging. Thank you

[@pablodelnorte9746]

I started learning Portuguese a month ago before I went on a short trip to Porto last week. I'm 58. I had the advantage of having done A level Spanish so I was able to make fairly rapid progress. I'm glad I made the effort as it made getting things done on the trip easier. It shows respect for the country you are a tourist in and most Portuguese people are generally really appreciative of any efforts foreigners make to learn the language. I was pleasantly surprised to get compliments on my pronunciation from some shop assistants and hotel and restaurant staff. Your videos helped me a lot! I am going to Lisbon at the end of August so with your help and sticking with my Hugo book, I should be much more confident and competent. You're never to old to learn. And I'm sure it's a great way of keeping your brain fit too.

[@TalktheStreets]

That's fantastic, getting compliments and all!! Well done!! 🤩

[@pablodelnorte9746]

@@TalktheStreets Cheers Liz. I wouldn't have achieved what I did without your excellent KZbin videos. Please keep doing what u are doing. Paul.

[@lauriebarnaby7132]

76 years old in the UK. I love the Portuguese people, I'm hoping to visit Portugal again next year with some language skills. The dream is to buy a small place to treat my old bones to a better climate.

[@TalktheStreets]

Sounds exciting! If you're just getting started, I highly recommend checking out my free 60 minute lesson “Speak Portuguese like a Pro”, it’s a quick start guide for total beginners covering pronunciation, real life Portuguese & essential grammar! Here: www.talkthestreets.com/speak-portuguese-like-a-pro - I hope you enjoy it!

[@lauriebarnaby7132]

@@TalktheStreets Thank you, I'm so glad I've found you 😊

[@naveedshaikh8408]

Fantastic!

[@TalktheStreets]

Glad you like it!

[@TheAlbertso]

Thanks for your invigorating inspiration, you whippersnapper.

[@TalktheStreets]

You are so welcome!

[@billyotieno7058]

You are adorably gorgeous 🥰. Muito fofinho professora Liz❤

[@ogator8642]

I think people tend to over-generalize. It is not impossible to learn a language at a later age but it is more challenging. Age is only one consideration. The amount of time that one has available is an important consideration. Where one lives is important but I think a really important factor is aptitude. Some people are terrific at math, others at art, others at music. Some people are simply really good at learnng languages and others are not .I started learning Portuguese around age 67. I will be 70 in September. It would have been easier if I had started when I was 15. I have been to Portugal five times and that really helped. Of course, there is the time at the supermercado when I thought I said, "Ate logo" and the cashier wanted to know why I was talking about lakes.

[@chefiqbaltravelkuwait9445]

I saw your many videos. It's really helpful

[@TalktheStreets]

So glad! 😊

[@soukoquu3617]

Olá, Liz ! Well, I'm just a teen 😅, 16 years old, precisely, I think, I started to learn too early! But I was dreaming of visiting Portugal and maybe settling there, maybe dreams will come true ! Thank you so much for teaching us ! And it will be useful for my future plans!

[@TalktheStreets]

Glad you enjoy the channel!

[@claremorley9845]

Thank you for the encouragement 😊❤🎉 I'm 63 and would love to learn to speak / understand European Portuguese!!

[@TalktheStreets]

You can do it!! My free lesson for beginners is a great place to get started: www.talkthestreets.com/speak-portuguese-like-a-pro 🥰

[@timothybruggeman9332]

I'm 63 and learning Portuguese (Brazilian...) I am 3 years into it, and according to my teacher, doing quite well. Minha compreensão auditiva ainda está ruim. Mas posso falar bem. Minha esposa e eu vamos visitar Portugal em duas semanas!

[@TalktheStreets]

Espero que tenham um boa viagem!

[@semarcontes]

I'm not sure about this, but I don't use gostaria that much. What I usually use is gostava. What's interesting is that I'm learning my own language and English at the same time. Amazing!!!

[@TalktheStreets]

Thanks for sharing!

[@valeriehail4425]

Oh I am never too old and I practice everyday @ 66 yoa, because I am definitely visiting the Algarve in October And you are such a great teacher

[@TalktheStreets]

Wonderful! Thank you 😊

[@sajibthankyouiamfrombangla2534]

I would like to learn Portuguese

[@joaosantiago-jx9ez]

Greetings my beautiful Queen

[@joeskeptical4762]

*A vontade é a solução.*

[@ianstobie]

Sim. "A vontade de mudar". Há sempre uma música sobre isso em português!

[@peterf.7580]

Obrigado! I feel like you were speaking directly to me. LOL

[@TalktheStreets]

De nada! 😊

[@kamenkokasikovic2499]

Aos 75 anos comecei a aprender português. Não foi fácil. Depois li o provérbio português "burro velho não aprende línguas" e tudo ficou claro para mim. 😟

[@lxportugal9343]

" Água mole em pedra dura... tanto bate até que fura"

[@kamenkokasikovic2499]

@@lxportugal9343 Escrevi isto SÓ PARA INGLÊS VER. 🤩

[@amritgurung4583]

Ola , I have just arrived in portugal is it complicate to learn Portuguese

[@TalktheStreets]

Hey! I'd love to help you out! Have you checked my free lesson for beginners? It's a great place to get started 🤩 Link here: www.talkthestreets.com/speak-portuguese-like-a-pro

[@andrewbabcock8681]

I would love to hear any of these people talk to us to see and motivate the rest of us old farts

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

I am 70 and people keep telling me I can't learn a language, I ignore them and just learn another language. I really cheese off expats who have been in Portugal and the Philippines for years.

[@baronsworldwide]

Loving this silver hair you're rocking! 😂

[@TalktheStreets]

eheh thanks!!

[@dallassukerkin6878]

:chuckles: Quite so. Back when I was a young man, I was out food shopping when I saw a woman of older years (probably about forty) with long, steel grey, hair. She was stunning and even though I saw her for only a few seconds I have never lost that image of her :). I understand pragmatically why women wish to hide their grey hair as it is, in evolutionary terms, a sign of lost fertility ... but a woman with grey hair and a beautiful face is still utterly enchanting :D.

[@nilottpoldas8556]

What’s your name, where do you live

[@ThomasSlayer]

Prettiest face on KZbin.