Asking a POLYGLOT How to Learn a Language From SCRATCH ft. @Thelinguist

Summary

In this insightful interview, Natalia speaks with Steve Kaufman, a polyglot who speaks 20 languages and co-founded LingQ, a popular language learning platform. They discuss effective strategies for learning languages from scratch, emphasizing motivation, consistency, and the importance of input-based learning. Steve shares his experiences of self-learning languages, such as Arabic and Persian, through mini-stories and repetitive listening. He highlights the value of patience, persistence, and engaging with real-world content. The conversation also touches on the benefits of using LingQ to enhance language learning through its extensive resources and tracking features.

Takeaways

• 😀 Steve Kaufman is a polyglot who speaks 20 languages and co-founded LingQ, a popular language-learning platform.
• 😀 Motivation is key to learning a language. The more you immerse yourself in the language, the more motivated you become.
• 😀 Language learning takes time and effort. Achieving conversational fluency may take a year or more, so be committed to the long haul.
• 😀 It's important to focus on comprehension and vocabulary building at the start, rather than worrying about grammar or accuracy.
• 😀 The method of 'TPRS' (Teaching Proficiency Through Reading and Storytelling) is effective for beginners, helping reinforce vocabulary and structure.
• 😀 Repetition is critical. Listening to the same simple stories multiple times helps your brain recognize patterns in the language.
• 😀 In the early stages of language learning, prioritize listening to input-based content (like mini-stories) rather than focusing on isolated vocabulary.
• 😀 For beginners, it's helpful to track your time spent learning to understand how much effort is actually being put into the language.
• 😀 Understanding grammar through context is useful; hearing how it's used in real-life scenarios helps learners grasp its function.
• 😀 LingQ is a language learning platform that provides a vast range of content in various languages and tools for efficient learning, including tracking progress and integrating media like ebooks and YouTube videos.

Q & A

How did Steve Kaufman become interested in learning languages?

Steve Kaufman became interested in learning languages during his career as a Canadian diplomat, where he had the opportunity to learn several languages. Later, he developed a deeper interest in languages after the age of 60, learning around 10 languages on his own.

What is Steve Kaufman’s approach to language learning?

Steve Kaufman’s approach to language learning is largely based on input. He recommends immersing oneself in a language through listening to and reading simple content, focusing on high-frequency verbs, and using repetition to help recognize language patterns.

How does Steve suggest maintaining motivation when learning a language?

Steve suggests that motivation comes from discovering new things in the language and celebrating small victories. He advises not to beat yourself up over what you can’t do, and to be patient, as language learning takes time and consistent effort.

What role does grammar play in the early stages of language learning?

In the early stages of language learning, Steve advises not to focus too much on grammar. Instead, he emphasizes gaining exposure to the language through mini stories and repetition. Grammar can be looked up when necessary, but understanding language structures comes naturally with enough input.

What is TPRS (Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling), and how does it help in learning a language?

TPRS is a teaching method that uses storytelling and repetition to teach a language. By telling the same story in different tenses or from different perspectives, learners are exposed to the same vocabulary multiple times, helping them internalize language patterns more effectively.

How does Steve use LingQ to aid his language learning?

Steve uses LingQ as a tool to enhance his language learning experience. He listens to and reads mini stories, saves new words to a database, and utilizes the platform’s functionality to track his progress, including how many words he has learned and how many hours he has listened.

Why does Steve recommend focusing on high-frequency verbs in the beginning?

Focusing on high-frequency verbs in the beginning allows learners to build a strong foundation in the language. These verbs are the building blocks of many sentences and are crucial for developing comprehension and communication skills.

What challenges did Steve face while learning Korean, and how did he overcome them?

One of Steve’s challenges with Korean was bridging the gap between simple material, which he could easily understand, and more interesting yet difficult content, such as Korean drama. He emphasizes the need to gradually transition from simple stories to more complex material as language skills develop.

How much listening practice does Steve recommend in the first few months of language learning?

Steve recommends dedicating a significant amount of time to listening in the first few months, up to 30-40 times for each lesson or mini story. This repetition helps internalize language structures and vocabulary.

What features does LingQ offer to help with language learning?

LingQ offers a vast library of content in 37 languages, with audio and text for each lesson. It allows users to track their activities, import external content like ebooks and Netflix movies, and provides tools for learning vocabulary and grammar, all aimed at enhancing the learning process.