Wow, I'm really proud of you!

[Silverobama]

Last night at a local English club I talked to a man. The man is in his 70s and he's still learning English. After he told me his reason for learning English is because he wants to visit his daughter in New Zealand, I was a bit moved. He also added that some people there don't like talking to someone whose English is not fluent because it's time-consuming, so he studies so hard every day in order to speak fluent English one day. I then said "Wow, I'm really proud of you!" Then I think it's not natural because it sounds like the person is my son, a bit patronizing and condescending.

What would native speakers say in this situation?

 

[tedmc]

Wow, I'm really proud of you.

That's only appropriate among family members. It's not condescending but out of place.

I'd probably say:
Wow, I'm really impressed.
That's truly commendable. Keep it up.

 

[emsr2d2]

Last night at a local English club I talked to a man. The man is in his 70s and he's who's still learning English. After he told me his reason for learning English is because that he wants to visit his daughter in New Zealand, I was a bit moved. He also added that some people there don't like talking to someone whose English is not fluent because it's time-consuming, so he studies so hard every day in order to speak fluent English one day. I then said "Wow, I'm really proud of you!" Then I [now] think it's that's not natural because it sounds like the person is my son, and it's a bit patronizing and condescending.

What would native speakers say in this situation?

Note my changes above.

Your sentence isn't reserved for family members at all but it's a bit much for the situation. I'd say "That's really impressive. Good luck!" or similar.

 

[Skrej]

"I'm proud of you" isn't just for family, but there does need to be some kind of personal connection that's missing in this context. For example, if the man were your student or someone you'd tutored who was putting your instruction to good use, then you could be 'proud' of him.

As it is, he's just a random person whom you admire or are impressed by. 'Proud' implies some kind of personal involvement.