Never too old!

I know it’s a cliché, but it is really, really true.

You are never too old to learn a new language.

Moreover, it’s even beneficial for the old brain cells.  There are many research studies available showing now that attempting to learn a new language in later life can actually  help off-set such mental conditions as Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

We probably all now accept and agree that it is beneficial for the older folk to keep active, take gentle exercise, go  for short walks etc., in order to keep their body fit.

Exercise for the brain

The same could be said for language learning helping keep the brain fit, specially in older people. It’s logical that learning a new language must be beneficial, just like doing crossword puzzles or Sudokus. And what a fun and exciting way to exercise the brain, and it  even comes with more obvious advantages, like being able to communicate with people from other places! You don’t even have to become fluent, speaking like a native , in order to reap the benefits of language learning.

Just as in gentle physical exercise, every little helps so let’s start with a few basic points to know before you start learning another language. By “a few basic points”I actually mean “a little Grammar”, but I have often seen that people get scared when they hear the ‘Grammar’! It’s really not that bad when you get familiar with the basics of English grammar

NOUNS:

names of things; table/chair/heat/happiness

names of people; John/Mary/Mrs.Smith

names of places; Spain/England/Madrid/London

ADJECTIVES;

describes things or people or places;

hot/cold/pretty/handsome/English/Spanish

VERBS:

an action word;

go/come/drive/sleep/speak/live/eat/drink etc…

Verbs are very special and very useful-

The ‘title’ of a verb in English grammar has a ‘to’ in front.

this is called “THE INFINITIVE” of the verb.

to go/to come/to drive/to sleep/to speak/to live/to eat/to drink

More next time….