I am trying to learn a new language.  For several years, I have taken classes through Life Long Learning options, in Ohio and now in New Jersey.  There are many types of classes available.  Just google senior learning options in your area.  You can even audit classes of interest at many universities!  I have most frequently taken art classes but I have taken classes in retirement planning and investing, history, and local points of interest.  There was even a class in wine tasting!

I continue to take an art class once a week and I am trying to take advantage of group tour options. Now I am added learning a language to my plan though I am not taking lessons in a formal classroom but online.

There are so many options online and FREE!  I have decided to tackle Italian (my daughter is taking German to decipher genealogical information in the family; one of my grandsons is taking Spanish to complement his work in school) but there are SO many languages available.  I figure that Italian will be fun since many of my close neighbors are Italian and (hopefully) next summer I will be able to practice with them but also, maybe someday, I can travel to Italy and not embarrass myself completely.

DuoLingo is a free online program that steps you through a language.  The lesson database is huge and maintains interest.  In 20 minutes a day, I feel that I am making progress!  I also use Rosetta Stone, available free online through my local library system (who woulda thunk?).  I enjoy it also.

Each day I try to put a bit of time on each and have pages and pages of “cheat sheets” by my computer.  I am making progress by using the programs regularly though I know that if I would miss a few days, it would be forgotten at this point.  I do find that after several weeks, I am beginning to think a bit in Italian…yippee!

My daughter prefers DuoLingo.  It seems to me to be a more left brained approach…more translation back and forth with some speaking into the microphone to check pronunciation.  I prefer Rosetta Stone.  It is more intuitive and seems more right brained…more emphasis on listening to the language and speaking, with options for translation.  I am using both to try to get the language through these aging brain cells.  Maybe you can teach an old dog new tricks.