Learning to Speak a Foreign Language

Re “Amid Daily Labors, English Can Have a Low Priority,” Voices, Sept. 1: I cringe when I hear people say, “If he wants to live in America, let him learn English!” In the 1970s, when I was already over 50, I moved to Brazil to open Weight Watchers.

During three years in Rio de Janeiro I studied constantly. I could learn to read, write and speak the language, but not having a good ear, I never learned to understand more than half of what was spoken. How could I, when “radio” was pronounced “hahdjo” and even “Rio” came out “Heeo”?

Learning a new language after 50 was the most difficult task I had ever set for myself. I desperately needed to learn Portuguese to do business in Brazil, to rent office space, buy supplies, hire employees, etc. I spent over $6,000 on private lessons and learned enough to write letters and brochures but needed an interpreter when I had business meetings to be sure I understood what was being said.

Please, let’s be more understanding of the older generation of immigrants when they can’t speak English. It’s not for want of trying!

Jean Desmond

Rancho Palos Verdes