Language Learning for Adults - WHY is it SO HARD?! A Psychologist Explains ft. Dr. Therese Mascardo

Do you think you suck at language learning because you’re “too old”? I explored this topic with my friend & clinical psychologist Dr. Therese Mascardo. We are going to talk about what is really going on in our brains when learning a new language, and how we can make our brains work with us, instead of against us, regardless of our age. - Filmed in Lisbon, Portugal by Liz Sharma, a Portuguese teacher in Lisbon and founder of Talk the Streets.
MY FREE PORTUGUESE LESSON: Speak Portuguese Like a Pro! (For Beginners)
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MY FREE PRONUNCIATION GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS: 7 Tips to Instantly Improve your European Portuguese Pronunciation
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Dr. Therese Mascardo's KZbin Channel:
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[@TalktheStreets]

It's never too late, malta! Will you give these techniques a go?

[@DavidGaliel]

Thank you once again, Liz, for providing a perspective on learning that one doesn't find elsewhere.

[@ogator8642]

I think you have highlighted the two most important challenges with language learning for older people (I'm 69). Brain plasticity is a huge issue for adults, but it is one that we cannot do anything about. Fear of failure, on the other hand, we can address. And I think maybe a third issue is self-criticism. Depending on one's age and the amount of time one has available for language learning, maybe older learners need to accept that they might never speak another language as well as they speak their native language. But even the oldest adults can improve a little every day. Maybe that should be the goal, not perfection or fluency or mastery but rather to improve a little every day.

[@TalktheStreets]

I like that thought thank you for sharing!

[@keanancupido]

I can confirm that! I'm always so anxious and scared to make a mistake because I don't want to look dumb😪

[@TalktheStreets]

You are doing great! Keep it up!!

[@TalktheStreets]

You are doing great! Keep it up!!

[@lxportugal9343]

I ear english since I was born (like every Portuguese), I had 8 years of english classes. And I make a lot of mistakes Keep exposing yourself to the language and do not expect to be Camões

[@peterwatler8711]

Hi Liz, my wife and I ( in our fifties) took portuguese language lessons in lockdown and the anxiety about speaking and being understood scared us. Today on holiday we had our first "proper" conversation with a taxi driver on holiday who didn't speak much English. We took on the challenge and spoke with him in portuguese and afterwards we are so pleased. It was a massive milestone to communicate, be understood and interect with portuguese person. Confidence building is key and give it a go.

[@davecole2561]

Well done Peter - parabéns!

[@peterwatler8711]

@@davecole2561 obrigado. PS i saw your comments on italki tutors for conversation practice. We are looking at that and have different tutors we are considering.

[@davecole2561]

@@peterwatler8711 I hope you take the plunge and get to speak to a native speaker. I speak a few European languages but Portuguese is my favourite. It's a beautiful and fascinating language!

[@DrThereseMascardo]

Thanks for creating space for this conversation, I hope it helps someone feel a little better if they’ve been struggling!

[@TalktheStreets]

You were a dream guest!

[@thesmithsmaf]

Many thanks Theresa for some very helpful insights . The points you raised resonated with me as I am learning Portuguese in my 50's whilst experiencing a number of profound life changes. Silencing the inner critic is one of my major tasks in day to day learning.

[@kaetikae]

OUTSTANDING video! Thanks for offering some context to what we are struggling with - great reminder that language learning is not unavailable to us at any age! I'm 55, and remind myself that with every lesson I'm rewarded with so much. It's fun in the moment, AND it's a passport to my new way of life!

[@markbr5898]

I just wanted to make the point that a child learning their native language is usually exposed to that language all their waking hours. Of course, learning a second language is different, but I am certain that second-language learners who place themselves or are forced into a situation where they only hear and use the target language achieve far better results than the average student.

[@ColinSmith2001]

Yup, i was thinking that too - we just need some adults to go through 5 years of 18 hours a day 1 to 1 language lessons and then compare their progress with the kids ;-)

[@markbr5898]

@@ColinSmith2001 Sounds slightly daunting, but actually not a bad deal if the lessons are free , together with free meals prepared and served, and almost all the responsibilities of life taken care of by others. Are we even allowed to pick our language?

[@DavidMorris1984]

Such a fascinating conversation for me. I'm learning Spanish and Portuguese at the moment. I'm doing ok, but I'm worried about failing with conversation. I'm going on a cruise to Spain and Portugal in a few days, so I'm trying to get as much practice in as I can before I go. I definitely think it'll be good for me to just take a breath, not go too quickly at first and think about things in my head first if I can.

[@ariesrising7257]

Liz...Another "Hall of Fame" video that is on point and on time! Other reasons aside, I can identify with much of what was said in the video.

[@TalktheStreets]

Woop woop so glad this was helpful for you!

[@Stuart115301]

Ótimo vídeo Liz, obrigado! Definitely agree with the fear of failure concept, especially for all the perfectionists out there (like myself). I have found one of the best things I have learnt is that we will probably never speak another language as well as a native, because we aren’t! Fluency should be interpreted as simply: to understand and to be understood. Anything else is a bonus! Thanks again :)

[@shanec.8486]

I am one of those people with language anxiety. Fear and shame is true :( every time I try to speak in Portuguese, I am always afraid that I might not use the right words and that he/she might not understand me, or the shame of not being able to understand what they are telling me in Portuguese when they start answering my question. This video was really helpful. Thank you, Liz!

[@TalktheStreets]

So glad!

[@iafasch]

Hello Shane, which variation of portuguese are you studying?

[@anthonybutler3157]

Great video. It does explain why my portuguese improves after a glass of wine

[@loriecasbourne5743]

You are so right that practicing out loud and submitting the recording for everyone to hear is initially a bit intimidating, but once you done it, it gets easier every single time. 😉

[@loriecasbourne5743]

…you’ve done ✅ had to correct that 🤣

[@albertso803]

Good video Liz. Every word, suggestion and tip seems spot on. At age 70, I always claim that my progress is hampered by the fact that I have always been a poor student: not attentive, more interested in entertaining myself or the class, mind wanders, etc. Wondering if you have any thoughts on this. Another problem I have yet to see addressed is what to do if one is just plain lazy about studying. Not asking for a friend.

[@stellabrophy2715]

Superb video..!! Very relatable indeed!!! Thank you , both

[@frankmcdonald147]

I will be moving from Australia (Hobart) toPortugal (Lisbon) in mid 2024 for 1yr with my wife who is Portuguese and our daughter who will be 9 by then. I am super keen to see how my daughter and I learn differently and how well we both pick up the language. I know I will get schooled as my daughter learns quickly and my mid 40’s brain will struggle. Can’t wait for the experience 🙏

[@esgee3829]

nothing got me to remember izquierda, direcho, derecha (spanish, not portuguese obvi) before a white knuckle taxi ride in bogota colombia. put my adult amygdala and hippocampus to good use that day! so somtimes, the stressful, fearful circumstance can also help enhance a memory. But maybe not a good strategy to learn an entire langugage...lol.

[@richardmcgreary6368]

Kids of immigrants are also more highly motivated to learn a new language than their parents are, simply because they NEED to make friends and fit in. No kid is happy being an outsider. Whereas their parents are more content to sit off, hang out only with their english-speaking friends, and do the same things they've always done. Alone.

[@drakoheart3376]

I am pretty bad at having conversations with people for more than 3 minutes, however I have on several occasions had 30 minutes plus conversations with strangers I've met on a night out entirely in Portuguese. Definitely a matter of confidence

[@UltimateMoralizer]

É fato. É difícil os adultos aprenderam uma língua. Quão verdade! Britânicos e americanos são os que mais lutam.

[@gerontodon]

That's because we don't have much incentive. Maybe that'll change with the rise of the BRICS nations though.

[@jxavier3876]

I find that I could learn a word and if i don’t use it Ill completely forget it in a week

[@jxavier3876]

Limited to a few words at a time that I just say to myself

[@ArmageddonAfterparty]

No. Well, personally I feel no shame trying and failing a new language, but I still suck at it. I used to be *really* good at it.

[@TalktheStreets]

Good for you!

[@gerontodon]

One major difficulty for me is that I can't decide which language to learn. I've got a mediocre level of comprehension with quite a few of them now after dabbling on Duolingo for 2 years.

[@garyrobinson8665]

I've started learning European Portuguese. Im looking for some Portuguese novels or books translated into Portuguese however most of the books I can find online are Brazilian Portuguese. Does it matter? I know there are differences.

[@MirjanaLfan]

Nice video. I feel like I’ve been stagnating here because there are no native speakers/clubs and only beginners lessons are catered for so I feel like I’m lost in a bit of a void using apps or podcasts.

[@davecole2561]

Hi. Try using italki by downloading the app and searching for a native speaker to help you. I've done this for European Portuguese and, with a patient kind and caring teacher, it will make a huge difference. Go for it - anda lá! By the way, I don't work for or get sponsored by italki - it's just a great way to improve and build language confidence!

[@juliotilman5503]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@cac0demon]

Liz, your videos are great. I have a question: can you imagine that someone is trying to learn portugues (from your materials) and that person isn't even a native english speaker? That's my situation :) I can understand your english quite well, but I'm far from being advanced or competent english speaker. I'm from Slovakia and I want to visit Portugal some day (Lisbon, Porto, Azores maybe ...) I'm using duolingo for learning, but I realized that it isn't that good for learning europen Portugues. I will try MemRise. Greetings from Slovakia Até breve!

[@TalktheStreets]

Yes it is totally possible!

[@Quidproquo1143]

Devias fazer um vídeo com o Leo do canal "Portuguese with Leo", seria muito interessante.

[@davehinman8326]

I tend to hear Brazilian Portuguese easier when I am trying to learn Euro Portuguese.. I guess it is easier for you to use British English vs American English? Is it similar in that example? I am still trying anyway form I can.

[@TalktheStreets]

Its a bigger difference than that - yes BR portuguese is easier to listen to. I just depends on your goals which one you should be learning!

[@deivis1091]

In my case when I hear someone speaking in Brazilian Portuguese I can barely understand them compared to European Portuguese just because I started learning it from the very beginning

[@davehinman8326]

@@TalktheStreets I want to learn euro Portuguese, as I spend more time in Portugal than Brazil now, but I find euro Portuguese is so much harder to put sentences together as they drop so many pronouns, adj etc… but I keep at it for an old guy

[@abej9790]

That's why folks, you gotta stay kid, and stay fool 😁

[@alwynwatson6119]

Learning a language as a child: easy Learning a language as an Adult: super easy Learning a language as a dyslexic person: Impossible most you can hope for is 0.9 languages.