How to learn new programming languages

Help me, I'm a late adopter.

How do I learn new programming languages and start using modern web apps without getting frustrated and angry?

I was full-time technical trainer for years (I still do it freelance). I've also taught all sorts of classes to people aged two to eighty. Yet reading your long, well-written* question, I still feel I don't have enough information to help.I'm grappling with "Why don't I like learning new things?" Many adults have this feeling. Usually, it's because learning (which is a joy to infants and young
children) becomes tarnished in school. It becomes un-fun, and from then on people associate it with pain. Also, painful or not, you were forced to do it in school. As a grownup, you have to find self-motivation. That's tough when -- if your schools were like mine -- you weren't trained to train yourself.
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