Is it worth attempting to learn a new language in retirement? Of course it is! But I would add that unless you are a sociable person who actively seeks to converse with others, your oral language skills will not develop as fast as you might like. Yes, you will be able to learn enough of the language to get by, for example, and you will learn enough to ask for something in the supermarket. You might even learn enough to read the newspaper, but learning to speak fluently with native speakers might well prove difficult.
Why is this?
Well, my own experiences as a pensioner in Germany suggests that unless you make friends with other pensioners you won’t have much contact with native speakers. Why is this? Let me say at once that I am not going to criticise Germans here. They are no more or less friendly than other nationalities. However, my experience suggests that older people in general are not as sociable as younger people. And that includes me! When I worked in Italy in 1976 I learned very good Italian in a few months. Why? Because I was out every night in the pizza houses with my students. They wanted the opportunity to speak English but we all ended up speaking Italian, and within 6 months I was fluent.
I am now 72 and living in Germany. I no longer go out to eat every night. I also realise (much to my sorrow) that now I am older I am less inclined to tolerate or adapt. Another problem is that many (but not all) Germans are black and white in their attitudes. You speak German or you don’t. There seems to be little appreciation of „intermediate“ language ability.
My guess is that older people (like me) become less able to adapt. In other words, it is not Germans who are the problem here but the years that bog you down in an unwillingness to change.
So – what are the experiences of others who have chosen to live abroad? Here are some well-known novels on the topic.
Driving Over Lemons: An Optimist in Andalucia – Chris Stewart
Under the Tuscan Sun: At Home in Italy – Frances Mayes
A Year in Provence – Peter Mayle
Out of Africa – Isak Dinesen
A House in Fez – Suzanna Clarke
Thoughts and Words 