Learning Language as an Adult

Ever walked into a shop only to find that they've completely rearranged everything? What was supposed to be a quick grab-and-go turns into a frustrating treasure hunt through unfamiliar aisles.

Change can be annoying like that. Just when we get comfortable, things shift.

I remember as a kid, I had penpals. Writing letters was exciting, but I imagined a future where we could chat face-to-face across the world. It felt like something out of a sci-fi movie. Fast forward to today—postal mail has become "snail mail," and some countries are even shutting down their postal services altogether.

The world keeps moving, and now more than ever, English has become the universal language of communication.

I’m lucky to have grown up speaking English at home, but living in Spain, I wish I had taken my Spanish studies more seriously. I did some courses here and there, but they never felt urgent at the time. And now? Well, here I am!

I get it—learning a language as an adult is different. After 30, our brains function differently, our stresses shift, and our priorities change. Many parents work hard to ensure their kids are proficient in English, while for themselves, they just cross their fingers and hope for the best.

But let’s not be so pessimistic! Learning and improving your English doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

Here are a few ways to make it work for you:

1. Express, don’t impress. Focus on getting your ideas across rather than striving for perfect English. Your thoughts and knowledge are what matter most.

2. Your accent is part of you. You don’t need to sound like a BBC news presenter! Instead, focus on improving the sounds that challenge you.

3. Mistakes are proof of progress. The smartest, most successful people fail, learn, and try again. That applies to language learning too.

4. Use structured communication. Having a few go-to frameworks for presenting your thoughts will help you feel more confident in conversations and presentations.

5. Believe in yourself. The more self-assured you are, the less English will feel like a barrier. If you ever doubt yourself, write a list of affirmations: "I am brave. I am capable. I am improving every day."

If you’d like to practice your English in a relaxed and fun setting, come join our Conversation Club! We meet weekly to discuss different topics.

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