Learning a new language can be a challenge at any age, but it can be especially hard for some adults. A key quality necessary to learning a new language is humility. Unfortunately, this runs counter to what our society values: Pride. When you think about it, we are constantly indoctrinated: school pride, pride of country, pride of race, pride of accomplishment. And the flip side to that is a fear of losing face, a fear of failing and being judged harshly. Fortunately for them, children learn language before that indoctrination takes too firm a hold on them.

Children are naturals at acquiring language. The key to learning to speak a new language is to watch how children learn, and then imitate them. Although children do have a natural advantage because of the way their brain is developing, those of us who have a few more years under our belts can increase our ability to learn if we watch and learn from them.

Consider: When a child is learning to speak, what happens? They listen and repeat sounds as best they can, whether they understand completely or not. Once they learn a new word, they use it. It doesn't matter if the say it correctly or use it in the appropriate context, they just try to talk and be understood. They aren't embarrassed if they make a mistake and are corrected. They just keep on practicing and acquiring and using new words. As they grow, they start to string words together to form sentences. They don't worry about proper grammar or sentence structure. They just try to be understood and express themselves based on what they know. As they make mistakes and are corrected, they file the information away and try to incorporate the correction in their future communication, even though they might make the same mistake over and over.

As adults, we generally don't laugh at or berate children for their mistakes. On the contrary, we take pride (there's that word again!) in their accomplishment. We realize that they are trying and learning and improving, and we do our best to help them.

It is the same with an adult who is trying to learn a new language. Many of us have studied another language in school, but the process is nothing like how a child learns. That's not to say that education isn't valuable - just that there are other ways to supplement what schools teach. At school, we spend countless hours studying vocabulary and grammar, learning to conjugate verbs until our brains turn to mush. And we learn that we need to say everything just so. We try to skip past all of the stages children go through and try to go straight to fluent expert. It just isn't doable, and many of us give up in frustration and lose what little we have learned.

Instead, we should try to be like children. First, we need to be in an environment where we can hear the sounds of a language, even if we don't understand the words. Try radio, television, DVD's playing in another language. Whenever possible, try to have the language playing in the background so you can learn the flow and the feel of the language. You also want to try to absorb as much of the culture as you can, because culture influences thought processes which influence language. Get audio and/or video for your car, for your home or for your headphones as you exercise. The key here is not to learn to speak like an expert. Rather, you want to be surrounded by your chosen language so you can absorb the rhythm and flow - as children do.

Second, use what you know. Even if it is a just a few words, try to speak and make yourself understood. This is where humility is key, because you are going to make a lot of mistakes. But try anyway. Even if it is simple and isn't even as good as a child can do, still try to use what you know. And if you are corrected, accept any help you receive in the spirit in which it is given. When you try to speak somebody's language to them, they are normally going to be pleased with your efforts and try to help.

Third, learn to laugh - at yourself. You are going to make mistakes, and some of them will be pretty funny. For example the Spanish word embarazada doesn't mean embarrassed, it means pregnant. So, if an English speaking man who is trying to say he is embarrassed really says that he is pregnant, you can expect a few chuckles, at the very least. Go with it. You have to admit, it is pretty funny. Humility is key. Don't take yourself too seriously.

Learning to speaking a new language fluently is not a quick, easy process. It is a lifelong endeavor. Many of us don't really know how to speak our mother tongue perfectly; don't expect perfection as you learn a new language. Just listen, practice, practice, practice and accept correction when it is given. Have fun with it. And above all, stay humble and don't let pride stand in your way.