Retirement is an exciting new chapter in life. Less stress, no more early mornings and no longer having to fight for a seat on the commute are things many people dream about for their whole working lives! But when some people retire, they find that they now have too much time on their hands. So, what is the solution?
Retirement is a great opportunity to pursue old hobbies, explore your passions, and even learn new things. One fulfilling pursuit is to learn a new language, such as English. Read on as we explore how to learn English at 60, 70, or any age you like!
There are many reasons why learning English can keep you entertained in your later years.
Many studies have demonstrated that learning a language can have significant benefits for our brain. Not only does it help you to keep your brain active, but skills like memory and problem solving can actually help to ward off cognitive diseases like dementia. Learning a new language helps you to develop new neural pathways and increases your brain’s flexibility.
After you retire, your priority might be to rest and relax. But learning a language can open new doors, sometimes in surprising places! For example, even though you might not be looking for a new career, learning English could get you a part-time volunteering job. Or it could help you travel to a new country you have always wanted to visit.
Retirement can sometimes be lonely, especially if you live on your own. Learning a language can help you form bonds with others and keep your social skills strong. Do you know anyone else who has recently retired? Reach out to them to see if they would like to learn with you!
After a long life working hard in their career, lots of people find that when they retire, they lose their sense of purpose. Learning a language – or any other hobby – gives you the opportunity to restore that sense of purpose, giving you a new goal, and new motivation.
Our primary reason to learn a language as a senior is that it can be fun! Often when people retire, they realize that they are bored. Learning a language is a fun and rewarding hobby that you can do alone or share with others. Plus, as you reach new milestones in your English journey, the sense of achievement will motivate you to keep learning.
Although it is true that our ability to learn languages decreases as we get older, many experts have found that learning a language in your later years is no harder than when you are young. In fact, learning a language in your later years can even give you a significant advantage.
As an older adult, you will already have developed a broad knowledge of your native language, including grammar structures and vocabulary. This can really help you learn a new language, especially if your native tongue has similarities to English. Learning a language is often about spotting patterns and links with other languages.
It is true that retirees have much more time on their hands! Although it is not necessarily vital to spend hours a day learning, the more time you dedicate to learning English, the faster you will progress. Decide whether you work better in the morning or the afternoon and set aside time each day to practice.
As an adult in your later years, you will have already gained lots of life experience, which can help you in your learning journey. Knowledge of other countries, literature, films, music, and food will all come in useful when learning a new language. You are likely to already have good study habits, too.
There are many ways for retirees to learn English. Here are just a few examples:
Online English classes for adults are incredibly popular. With new technology developments, it has never been easier to learn English and speak with fellow learners all from the comfort of your own home. Join an EF English Live course to learn English in private or group classes with our amazing Efekta Teachers™. We do not just teach words and phrases, but speaking confidence that will help you achieve your unique learning goals. So, if you have always dreamed of being a language student, now is your chance.
If you love the idea of getting out and about to learn, check whether there is a local community class you can join. If there is not one already, offer to make your own! You can put up an advert inviting fellow language learners to meet once a week for coffee and a chat in English. This is the perfect way to get out of the house and meet new people if learning to speak English online is not an option for you.
If you want to explore the world, consider taking part in a language exchange abroad. Language exchanges are an amazing experience for everyone, including of an older age. Not only do you get to explore a new place, try new food, and test out your new language skills, but you also get to share your culture with someone else.
Practice is the most important part of learning a language, including in your retirement. With your newfound time, read the newspaper in English, read English books, watch English movies, or make time to speak with friends in English! The choice is yours.
From cognitive health and socializing to travel, exploring new countries, finding purpose, and avoiding boredom, there are many reasons to learn English in your retirement. Remember that EF English Live are always here to teach you English, no matter what age you are!
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