How to Learn 2 Languages (or More) at the Same Time

Summary

This video offers a unique approach to learning multiple languages simultaneously by introducing the concept of 'language personalities' to avoid confusion between languages. The speaker shares personal experiences learning Mandarin and Arabic, emphasizing the importance of embracing distinct identities for each language to enhance learning. The video suggests using platforms like Preply to find native tutors for practice and recommends a cyclical learning strategy of advancing one language while maintaining others. It also touches on the principle of separation to keep languages distinct in the learner's mind for effective learning.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning multiple languages simultaneously is possible and can be achieved by following specific principles.
• 🎭 The concept of 'language personalities' helps to distinguish between languages, preventing confusion and enhancing learning.
• 🌟 Embracing different identities for each language can lead to a more sophisticated and nuanced language learning experience.
• 🔄 The speaker found that leaning into these language identities helped to avoid mixing up languages in their mind.
• 📚 Developing a 'language personality' for each language aids in organizing linguistic data and switching between languages more easily.
• 🗣️ Practicing language learning by speaking with others is crucial, and hiring native tutors on platforms like Preply can provide personalized guidance.
• 🔗 Preply offers one-on-one lessons that cater to the learner's pace and proficiency level, which is beneficial for learning multiple languages.
• 💰 A special offer for half off the first lesson on Preply is available for those interested in language learning.
• 🔄 The principle of 'advance and maintain' suggests focusing on one language at a time while keeping the others active, rather than dividing time equally.
• ⏸️ Taking a complete break from a language and then returning can lead to surprising improvements, despite initial rustiness.
• 🚫 The importance of 'separation' in language learning is emphasized, suggesting that learning very similar languages or starting all from zero can be less effective.
• 📝 It's recommended to keep a distance between study sessions of different languages to maintain their distinctness in the learner's mind.

Q & A

Is it possible to learn multiple languages simultaneously according to the video?

Yes, the video suggests that it is absolutely possible to learn two, three, or even four languages at the same time.

What was the speaker's initial dilemma regarding language learning?

The speaker was indecisive about whether to learn Mandarin or Arabic and found the indecision was driving them crazy.

What are the three key principles the speaker followed to learn multiple languages?

The three key principles are language personalities, maximizing output by practicing with native speakers, and the principle of advance and maintain.

What does the concept of 'language personalities' refer to in the video?

Language personalities refer to the different feelings and identities one might adopt when speaking different languages, which can help prevent language mix-ups.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of having a language personality?

The speaker describes it as a subtle change in how they feel and behave when speaking a particular language, influencing their body language and overall demeanor.

Why is it beneficial to cultivate language personalities when learning multiple languages?

Cultivating language personalities helps the brain to assign data to specific feelings, making it easier to switch between languages without confusion.

What is the recommendation for practicing language learning in the video?

The speaker recommends hiring native tutors on Preply to guide, push, and help enjoy the language learning process.

What is the principle of 'advance and maintain' as described in the video?

The principle of 'advance and maintain' suggests focusing on advancing one language while maintaining the others in cycles, rather than dividing time equally among all languages.

Why is it suggested to take a complete break from studying a language according to the video?

Taking a break from a language can lead to surprising improvements upon returning to it, as the subconscious continues to process the information.

What is the importance of 'separation' when learning multiple languages?

Separation is crucial to keep the languages distinct in one's mind, which can be achieved by learning very different languages or maintaining proficiency level differences.

How can one effectively separate languages during study sessions?

One can effectively separate languages by studying them on different days or by having longer sessions for one language followed by the other, avoiding back-to-back study sessions.