How to Learn a Foreign Language
10 tips from 10 polyglots on language learning
Learning a new language means opening one more window to a new culture. Learning new cultures will make us more open to the world. According to research done in Sweden, learning a language leads to positive developments in the brain, along with many known benefits.
Polyglot is a multilingual term that is a combination of the Greek terms poly (many) and glotte (language).
Polyglots are people who are successful in language learning and can understand and speak many languages. It will be easier to organize our own learning process by taking advantage of the success of polyglots in language learning.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
Nelson Mandela
To keep up with the globalizing world, proficiency in more than one language has become a necessity in academic and business life. But the language adventure that many people start with great excitement may end with disappointments. These may have many different reasons.
The methods applied by polyglots who have achieved success in their language learning process can be listed as follows:
- “Enjoy.” — Steve Kaufman.
Learning a language is a really challenging process for many. S. Kaufman emphasizes that the language learning process should be made enjoyable. In addition to activities such as listening to music and watching movies in the target language, doing researches on topics we enjoy will increase our motivation. The more enjoyable we get through with this process, the more efficient it will be.
2. “Talk from day one.” — Benny Lewis.
When we start learning the language, we often neglect to speak. B. Lewis emphasizes that by approaching differently, we need to speak from the first word we learn and this has a great contribution to the learning process. He states that this interaction, which will take a short time in the beginning due to the necessity of communicating, will increase over time, and no one should be afraid of making mistakes.
3. “Why should I learn this language?” — Richard Simcott.
R. Simcott emphasizes the importance of setting goals. Weak goals may result in abandonment of the process before it begins or shortly after it begins. The clearer and more vivid goals, provide greater continuity of motivation in the language learning process.
4. “There is no best method.” — Luca Lamperiollo.
L. Lamperillo points out that there is no best way to learn languages. Each polyglot has his or her own unique methods. There are even polyglots that apply different methods for each language. That’s why he says we need to find our own way.
5. “Read a lot!” — Robin MacPherson.
While learning a language, it is necessary to be heavily exposed to that language. One of the best examples of exposure is reading. R. MacPherson states that reading is very important in the language learning process and all polyglots read extensively in the target language. According to him, these readings contribute substantially to rapid development by providing intensive information.
6. “Be interactive!” — Tim Donor.
T.Donor says that many polyglots are active in their social circles. Interacting with social groups in the target language will accelerate the learning process.
7. “Apply the Spaced Repetition System.” — Gabriel Wyner.
G.Wyner, in his book, emphasizes this system. Learned information disappears from memory over time, as indicated in the forgetting curve. Spaced repetitions over time will prevent forgetting and learned information will take place in long-term memory.
8. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.” — Lýdia Machová.
Being afraid of making mistakes puts us in an inertial state. This affects the process negatively. L. Machová states that polyglots are very comfortable about this. They make mistakes over and over again, but their mistakes do not deter them. The important thing is not to make mistakes, but to learn from mistakes.
9. “Don’t worry about grammar.” — Olly Richards.
O.Richards says that we should stop putting grammar as a prerequisite in the language learning process. He states that grammar should be learned when and as needed in the learning process.
10. “Set realistic goals.” — Alex Rawling.
A.Rawling says the goals must be realistic. The goals to be set should be determined by considering personal life conditions. Attainable goals will increase our motivation and contribute positively to the language process.
Although each polyglot has his or her own methodology, it can be stated that the methods they use in their language learning adventures are generally those described above. Polyglots state that they do not have any special abilities. They are successful in language learning with their focus, determination, and patience by the above methods.
Good luck with the language learning process!
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