Can you learn French over 30? Yes, but you need to know these things
Why is it so difficult to learn a language as an adult?
Can you learn French after 30?
What challenges will you face that a child won’t?
These are questions I’ve been discussing lately with some of my students, and I figured it was worth exploring in a blog post because I’m sure they’re not the only ones to wonder.
As a French teacher and an adult language learner, I can confirm that although it’s not easy, it’s absolutely possible to reach fluency in a second language, whether you’re 30, 50, 70 or somewhere in between.
Of course, learning French as an adult has its challenges. But if you read on, you’ll discover what they are and my top tips for overcoming them.
Challenge #1: Starting from scratch
As adults, we have a vast vocabulary that allows us to express ourselves effortlessly in our native languages.
So, it can be unbelievably frustrating to struggle to say more than ‘there is milk and butter in my fridge’.
Having experienced this just a few years ago when learning Italian, I understand the pain. But I’m afraid to say that there is no shortcut. You have to go through the frustration to get to the fun part.
My advice? Accept that you have linguistic limits and keep studying to expand them.
Remember, if it was easy, it wouldn’t be so rewarding.
Challenge #2: Learning to make mistakes
Struggling to express your bright ideas is frustrating, but what’s worse is how that can make you feel.
You’re independent. You have a life, a house, a family, a career, a degree. You’re really quite smart…
But the moment you try saying something in your new language, you feel anything but clever.
It’s weird, isn’t it? As children, we never feel stupid when we make mistakes. People correct us, we listen, and we move on.
However, being corrected or misunderstood as an adult is like a personal attack on our egos. We want so badly to be perfect that our automatic response is to stop ourselves from speaking so we won’t be judged.
Sorry if this isn’t what you want to hear, but the key to speaking better is to speak. So, instead of viewing mistakes as a weakness, try reframing them as a sign of courage.
Looking for a safe space to practise? Check out my French online conversation program for adults.
Challenge #3: Finding the time and motivation
While some language learning companies claim that it’s possible to speak fluently in 3 months, I can tell you: that’s bullshit.
Learning a language takes time, money and a lot of energy.
It’s probably why children find learning easier — they don’t have hundreds of other commitments, they don’t have to pay for it, and they generally have much more energy than us!
But it’s also why reaching your language goals as an adult is much more rewarding.
If you’re serious about learning French, I recommend you allocate time to studying. Find a method that suits your learning style, a routine you can fit around a full-time job, and a teacher who can help you reach your goals.
Because yes, although there are lots of ways you can learn for free, the quickest and most effective method is to invest money in learning with a professional.
In Belgium? Here are some of the best places to learn in Brussels and beyond.
Challenge #4: Being understood by other people
When you reach the pre-intermediate or intermediate level, you’ll start to have little conversations with your teacher and classmates. This is a really rewarding place to be because you’ve overcome the initial challenges of not being able to say much at all.
But these levels give rise to another kind of frustration: that native speakers might not understand you as easily as your teacher does.
This is an uncomfortable moment for adult language learners, but we all experience it.
Take me, for example. Even though I’m fluent in Italian, some locals still switch to English when I hesitate or stumble over my words.
It’s not very motivating, but it’s important to remember that this is a totally normal part of the learning process. Tu n'es pas tout seul.
So, how can you push through the challenges and learn?
Learning French as an adult is about courage, resilience and persistence. It might feel harder than learning as a child but remember: you’re choosing to do it.
You haven’t got a pushy parent breathing down your neck (at least, I hope not). You’re doing this to achieve something; experiencing these challenges will make it worth it when you get there.
That said, I have one little tip to help make the process easier.
Wherever you are in your journey, decide what you want to achieve with the language and divide it into big and small achievements. For example:
Some small wins:
Understanding fragments of conversation between natives
Realising the meaning of your favourite French song
Seeing that you stopped making a mistake
Being able to say something simple to a stranger on the street
Ordering (and being understood) in a bar
And some big wins:
Seeing a French show at the theatre
Speaking during a work meeting
Explaining a friend’s symptoms to a doctor or nurse
Helping other French learners
Succeeding in a job interview
Passing a course and getting a certification
Understanding something so effortlessly that you forgot which language you heard it in
Celebrate every achievement no matter how insignificant it seems because all your small wins will eventually add to big improvements.
It will take some time to express yourself like you do in your mother tongue. But take it from someone who has helped hundreds of people aged 20 to 65 learn French: if you persevere, you will get there!
Want more tips on how to learn French as an adult?
Then you’ll love my newsletter. Sign up here for bi-weekly stories, advice and inspiration on making your French learning journey easier and more enjoyable regardless of age.
