The benefits of learning a new language as an adult

Many Americans give up on studying another language after finishing a high school or college foreign language requirement.

But some adults are diving into learning a new language to connect with their heritage, communicate with neighbors or co-workers, as a door to travel and culture, or just to give themselves a mental challenge.

MPR News host Angela Davis talks with her guests about the joys and challenges of learning a new language as an adult.

Guests:

• Amanda Dalola is an associate professor of linguistics and director of the Language Center in the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota. She studies how people learn languages. She trained in Romance linguistics, speaks several Scandinavian languages and is currently learning Finnish, Norwegian and Korean.

• Julian Nye has been learning Spanish for the past three years through language apps, conversation groups and St. Paul Public Schools Community Education classes. He works in human resources for a Twin Cities nonprofit organization.

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Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.