Can anybody learn a language?

Many people believe that they are not ‘good at languages’, or will tell you that they were hopeless at languages in school. Some even claim that they don’t speak their mother tongue very well, so couldn’t possibly learn other languages.

It’s true that learning a language takes time and effort, but with sufficient interest, motivation, dedication and perseverance, anyone can do it. Having an enthusiastic teacher or tutor can also help a lot, though it is possible to learn languages on your own.

If you fall in love with a language, and/or with some aspects or the culture associated with a language, you will want to spend as much time as possible with that language. The more exposure you get to the language, the quicker you will acquire it.

There will be periods when your enthusiasm lags and you may become frustrated with your apparent lack of progress. These mights be times when it’s a good idea to take a short break, or to try studying in a different way. Seeking out other people who are learning the same language and discussing your frustrations can also help.