European Day of Languages: four myths about learning languages after thirty

Myth 1: 'After twenty it's too late'

A 2018 study by Joshua Hartshorne, Joshua Tenenbaum and Steven Pinker, based on data from more than 669,000 people, suggests that the ability to master a foreign language's grammar to native level is preserved until about age 17 and then declines steadily. That matters, but it concerns native-like grammar, not effective communication.

An adult can learn a language well enough to work, study or deal with offices. Adults also have advantages: they know what they need, can plan and use learning methods deliberately. The goal needn't be no accent — fluent communication is enough.

Myth 2: 'I need to find my learning style'

Dividing people into 'visual' and 'auditory' learners is popular, but a 2008 review by Pashler and colleagues found no convincing evidence that matching teaching to a declared style improves results. People have preferences, but effectiveness depends more on method than on 'style'.

Better to rely on what works for most people: regular recall from memory, spaced reviews and plenty of speaking and writing practice.

Myth 3: 'Just get used to hearing the language'

Listening to podcasts and watching series helps a lot with comprehension and vocabulary. But to speak, you have to speak — form sentences, make mistakes and get feedback. People who 'listen' for years often understand well yet still struggle to express themselves.

A good mix: daily listening, regular speaking practice (a lesson, a tandem, a conversation club) and short written texts.

Myth 4: 'Without talent there's no point'

Differences in aptitude exist, but in adult learning progress depends most on time and regularity. 15–20 minutes a day for a year gives more than an intense month after which learning stops.

Where to start in October

A plan for the first four weeks:

• Define a three-month goal in one sentence (e.g. 'a 15-minute job interview').
• 10 minutes of flashcards daily with your own example sentences.
• Speaking twice a week: a lesson, a tandem or recording yourself.
• One short text a week — an email, a message, a description of your day — with corrections.
• At the end of the month record a two-minute talk and compare it with the first.